Knowing Ourselves (05/19/2024)

Yesterday, I was invited to participate in my only granddaughter’s wedding dress selection. She asked a group of us to come and help her choose her dress for her wedding day. We gathered at the designated time, in the designated room, and began the process of finding the right dress and veil for my granddaughter. With hundreds to choose from, it was a process of elimination. We were encouraged to say what we thought, mention what we saw, to draw attention to what we noticed. It was a fun but arduous process. Finally, we had it down to two. I could see my granddaughter struggle. I could hear all the comments and encouragement. What was she to do?

Finally, I did something I wasn’t planning to do. I walked to her, motioned that I wanted to whisper in her ear. She leaned her head next to mine. And I whispered. “Shut out all these voices. You know yourself and who you are. You’ve got this. You choose.” She smiled at me. I knew she understood. And a few minutes later, she did just that. And it was the perfect choice.

As I reflected on my day, the time spent with my granddaughter, daughters and others for this special occasion was on my mind. I prayed for my granddaughter as she continues to prepare for her marriage. I prayed that she will continue to draw upon the love of her family and friends as she journeys on but also that she will trust the voice within. I prayed that she would continue to draw upon the LORD for life and for the grace to discern, to know, to decide, to act with conviction.

Our journeys aren’t measured so much by how far we travel outward but rather by our inward discoveries. On our journeys we discover that the outward travel is only geography, whereas the inward journey is our true calling, to find within us what the LORD has created, to cherish it as our Creator cherishes us, and to cooperate with our LORD’s divine design for us and others. We are aided in our journey by our loving Redeemer who remains with us always and upon whose love we draw daily. And of course, we are led by the Spirit, our great advocate who provides us with gifts and graces for the journey.

As I sat last evening, reflecting upon the day and witnessing how family and friends came together to share in a special moment of life with my granddaughter, I reflected on my own life, how I have been led to discover myself through the journey and the companions I have been blessed with along the way. The magnitude of the blessing flooded my mind and heart, and my soul sang in praise of my LORD. I thanked the LORD for the day that gave me a glimpse of the future of my loved ones and such a remarkable look back at what has been. And I realized who I am called to be all over again. I ended my prayer by asking the LORD to guide me so that trust His plan for me and choose wisely.

Let us, as we journey, take time to reflect often on the LORD’s power and presence at work around us but especially within us. Let us learn to discern well the one we are created to be and choose only that which brings us closer to our LORD where we will find our true selves. Let us focus not so much on travels to faraway places as our spiritual journeys inward, to our inner being, where the LORD remains with us and in us.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.