Keep my heart unshaken, clear, and steady.

Search for the LORD and His strength; continually seek His face. Psalm 105:4

Show Your goodness, O LORD, to those who are good and to those who are true of heart. Psalm 125:4

So last night Nicole and I pushed the couches together and piled into the heaps of pillows for yet another round of Moana while Heather and Dustin went off to celebrate her birthday. Since the beginning of human history we have told myths, stories of overcoming to fill the next generation with perspective and courage. And Everette has heard this particular story multitude times for this very reason, that her heart and mind with be filled with perspective and courage. Stories have a way of capturing and holding truth much more effectively than smoothly polished platitudes. Somehow the golden thread is woven so tightly through the character and conflict and resolution that we cannot disentangle it.

And as I did my flip turns this morning and counted my laps, the images sifted into my daily gathered manna.

Moana kept her calling, who she was meant to be, front and center. Again and again she brushed off the dust, or rather pushed her soaking wet hair back out of her eyes, and started off afresh, wayfinding.

Moana did not dwell on the words or actions of others, even though they stood against her or abandoned or betrayed her, she held no grudge.

Moana dealt with the present challenge, without regrets for the past or fear for the future, she cast herself into the battle.  

And man oh man, what a beautiful glorious sparkling lush world surrounded her in spite of the pain and brokenness and spreading darkness.

Life is indeed beautiful.

And in the end, the heart is restored.

I am called to join Him in the act of restoration. This is who I am meant to be.

Nothing else matters.

Keep my heart unshaken, clear, and steady. Amen.

LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle? Who may abide upon your holy hill? Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, who speaks the truth from his heart. There is no guile upon his tongue; he does no evil to his friend; he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor. In his sight the wicked is rejected, but he honors those who fear the LORD. He has sworn to do no wrong and does not take back his word. He does not give his money in hope of gain, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things shall never be overthrown. Psalm 15

Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who cares for us: Preserve me from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from me the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Dear Father in heaven, grant that we may share in the community of your Holy Spirit. In community with You our earthly troubles fall away and we remain in Your peace in spite of all our failures and shortcomings, in spite of all the toil we must gladly take upon ourselves. Keep my heart unshaken, clear, and steady. Amen.