September 28, 2025

I’m sure you’ve done some “Creative Thinking”, just staring into space and letting your mind wander in an attempt to address all worldly problems, personal and universal. One of the best places to do this is in a car or train when no one will interrupt you.

As I drove to work one morning several years ago. I was doing some of that “Creative Thinking “. But it was a special type that I call “Creatively Selfish Thinking”.

Now for those of you who are a lot more angelic than I, and have never engaged in this type of thinking, I will describe it. It’s a fruitless mental exercise that endlessly repeats phrases like, “How come I do all the work, and she gets all the credit?” Or, “How come she can eat anything she wants and never gain weight?” Or, “How come anytime I make a little mistake, it’s such a big deal?” Or, “How come I work so hard, and she has a nicer car?” And so on, and so on, and so on…..

That’s the kind of thinking I was doing that morning when God gave me a Divine “kick in the butt”, as my young nieces would describe. I thought I’d share it with you just in case you are ever tempted to feed your mind with unproductive, self-defeating thoughts.

The revelation came as I drove past the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia. Crossing the street in front of me walked a father and son. The little boy was no more than four years old. He held his Daddy’s hand, with his face turned upward toward him in a smile. In his other hand, the child held the smallest cane that I have ever seen — not much more than a foot long. Yet as poignant a picture as they made, it was a picture filled with happiness. Both were smiling. Both were obviously joyful in each other’s company. They seemed uncompromised by a burden so obvious to me.

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As I continued along my journey, I heard a voice inside me say, “Why are you obsessing over things you can’t change? A loving God holds your hand in both light and darkness. God is walking beside you. God delights in your life, and rejoices when you are joyful. God surrounds you constantly with signs of love and grace. Feed your mind and soul on that Truth.”

That encounter was a real gift to me. I thought perhaps there might be others who could benefit from the grace-filled “kick” I received.

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Music: Lord, Hold My Hand – Jocelyn Soriano

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For Your Reflection

• What feelings or reactions do I have after reading this reflection?
• Do my feelings or reactions remind me of any passage or event in scripture, especially in the life of Christ? 
• What actions might I take today because of my response to these readings?

Suggested Scripture: Isaiah 41:13