Today’s Reading: Philippians 4:8-9

When I was in kindergarten, I began taking piano lessons. I was an enthusiastic player and practiced hard so that I could improve! Over time, though, my enthusiasm began to wane. I practiced less and less until finally, I stopped practicing completely. I wanted to be able to play the piano beautifully… I just didn’t want to have to practice to get there!

“Practice makes perfect.” I bet that many of you know the truth of this phrase from experience. I certainly do, but not just from my days as an unmotivated pianist. I’ve found it to be true in my faith life, too. In today’s reading, we are encouraged to think about and practice what is true, noble, right, pure, etc. In my own life, I’ve discovered that the more often I think about these things, the easier it becomes. The more I pray and intentionally practice being kind, loving, or accepting, the more naturally it comes to me. The more often I choose to respond in a godly way (even when it’s difficult), the easier it comes the next time. Have you found this, as well?

I would love if I could behave perfectly and show God’s love all the time… and I’m working on that. But for now, all I can do is practice. All I can do is my best and trust that God doesn’t expect perfection, but growth. I may play a wrong note now and then (sometimes it feels like I play more wrong notes than right ones!), but I trust the power of the Spirit to help me learn so I can grow more righteous each day. Practice makes perfect!

Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent.
—Billy Graham