“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10.

“Never Forget” is a slogan synonymous with 9/11 and understandably so. We, as Americans, started the day of 9/11/01 with our regular routines, never expecting that our comfortable life was about to be turned upside down. For the past 20 years, at least once a year, we remember.

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:44–45, NASB95)

Eye exam time comes for me every January. So a few weeks back, I drove over the hill and enjoyed the thrilling experience of an eye exam. During the Eye exam, the doctor kept saying the same thing over and over, “is it number one or number 2” as the lenses focused in and out, dialing in the correct prescription for me. At one point, I always ask myself, how does she know based on the 20 different times I said 1 or 2 what lenses to prescribe? My anxiety about this mystery is usually calmed once I fill the prescription, and low and behold, I can see!

As the New Year began, I found myself waking up many mornings with my mind quoting Psalm 103.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.