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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Someone delights in you

A few words directed to a friend, neighbor or family member or even an adored pet, can release a resevoir of strength within . Normally, these are words of appreciation and acknoledgement.

prayerAt Fort Leonard Wood, the Army’s largest basic and advanced training post, I served with command leaders to include hundreds of drill sergeants of all ranks. I served, too, commanders that I would have followed into combat at any time and any place. How did these men and women impress me and receive my loyalty? They were leaders trained in reassuring and encouraging others. They elicited a sense of self with new recruits, NCOs and officers with a reassuring word.

On Inauguration day I followed my daily routine of exercising at the Athletic Club. As my legs moved my mind was also active as I listened and watched President Obama give his address. His speech captivated and motivated me. before I realized it, I had exceeded my goal at the treadmill of 50 minutes. This awesome speech motivated me; his words somehow improved my power of endurance.

Reassuring spoken words renew and enable us to accept and successfully overcome the challenges of daily living. One source of such reassurance is to be found in the Bible, a book on the nature of God and mankind. In what we call the Old Testament, there is in Zechariah 3:17  words that lifted my morale.  This verse is a potent message:

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to see. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he shall rejoice over you with singing.”

On this day the words “delight” and “rejoice” from the verse give me confidence. Think of it and let this thought massage you spiritually: we are giving to the Almighty delight and our attitude and behavior cause the Almighty to rejoice.

Meditating on this verse fortifies and releases the spiritual resources. in all of us.  Focusing upon these words will enable us to successfully overcome daily challenges and release inner strength to face obstacles honestly and bravely.

Pamela Frueh, as she pondered these words,  wrote:

“God delights in me. I think of the delight I feel when my children and grandchildren, the powerful heart-stopping, breath-catching delight that seems to be part of unconditional love …  I am God’s child, awed by God’s love.”

Thought for the day:

God delights in me — and in you. Repeat these words frequently and experience a healthier outlook.

Rev. Charles Moreland
Rev. Charles Moreland
Rev. Charles Moreland, retired, has lived in Clarksville for seven years and holds great pride in his adopted city and its people. His one objection in Tennessee is the Hall law of taxes on dividends and savings. Charles served in the U.S. Army Chaplaincy from 1966-1986, retiring to serve as a United Methodist pastor near Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He serves on the Boards of Directors for the ARP, Roxy Theater and MCDP. Though retired, he is a regular speaker at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. His five grandchildren, ages two to thirteen years, live in Evansville, Indiana. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War and served in Germany and Korea while on active duty.
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