Daily Devotion - Wednesday, August 12

Letting Go!

“Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord,
and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.”
--An ancient song
Psalm 25: 6

A primary aspect of spiritual development is recognizing mercy and grace. This week we are spending time meditating on the above verse.

Yesterday we talked about holding on to unhealthy thought patterns, thereby limiting our accessing of the grace that is available to us. Let me tell a little story that I call “Cottage Cheese.”

At age 15 my parents (probably mom more than dad) decided I was going to “try” cottage cheese. I was certain I didn’t like it and put up my best defense. I lost. On my first bite I “won” by losing not only the cottage cheese, but also everything else in my digestive system. The experience was memorable.

Eleven years later as pastor of a new church start in Lima, Ohio I sat in the living room of a new member. She was a retired school teacher, gifted musician and gracious hostess. She invited me to stay for lunch, telling me she had already prepared a light lunch. I said, “That will be fine; I eat about anything.” Lunch that day was cottage cheese on a pineapple ring with crackers on the side.

I ate. I enjoyed. I still eat cottage cheese and enjoy. Letting go of unhealthy patterns is healthy!

--Ben Keckler
08.12.09