Thank You, Lord, for carving out 2 days of rest, I needed them more than I even knew. Thank You for keeping me company while I’m away from loved ones. Even in solitude, You remind me that everyone on this earth is part of my family. I had such sweet moments with the dancers in the square, the fish man by the river, and the kind woman who helped fix my bracelet. All are my family, and I am never truly alone as long as I stand in Yours.
Lately, I’ve been contemplating pride, especially spiritual pride. Its danger often lies in how quietly it creeps in. A person may begin to see themselves as uniquely insightful, imagining they’ve risen above both the simplicity of the faithful and the cynicism of the world. They justify maintaining compromising friendships under the banner of “being a light,” when in truth, it may be a disguise for vanity and a divided heart. In trying to belong everywhere, they end up truly known nowhere, betraying both circles while believing they’re serving a higher purpose. Lord, keep me from this vain path. I long only for Your truth and the unity found in You.