occupied

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to treasure and ponder only that which is good and true and beautiful and excellent and praiseworthy.  For when I fill my mind and my heart with those things—when I fill my mind and heart with you—it will transform my life.  Amen.

Scripture: Luke 2:15-20

Journal: What occupies your heart these days?  What do you spend most of your time dwelling on?  What do you treasure up and ponder in your heart?  How does that affect your life? 

Reflection: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

What do I allow to occupy my inner space?  Whatever it is, it will determine how I live.  Do I let my fears and insecurities and inadequacies and needs consume me, or do I dwell on what is good and excellent and true and beautiful?  All too often, I’m afraid, it is the former rather than the latter.  I tend to focus on my shortcomings and gaffes and mistakes and failures, instead of focusing on the victories and progress and growth going on within and around me.  Mary chose to focus on what God was up to within and around her, and it made all the difference.  She treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  O Lord, help me to do the same.

Pray

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that Mary treasured all these things up and pondered them in her heart.  May we do the same.