That’s Going to Leave a Mark
December 6, 2021 by Cynthia Ruchti
Filed under Daily Devotions, Worship
By Cynthia Ruchti –
I remember more than once hearing my mother comment on some childish prank with the words, “Be careful. That’s going to leave a mark.”
She may have been talking about slipping the old fashioned kind of clothespins—someone does remember clothespins, right?—over our noses. Or she may have been referring to the practice of grabbing a sibling’s wrist with both hands and twisting in opposite directions. “Snake bite!” Followed by hysterical laughter and a chase scene.
“Be careful. That’s going to leave a mark.”
One of my sons, who shall remain anonymous, stuck a suction cup to his forehead the day before school pictures. Left a mark.
I wonder how many moms peer through a tattoo parlor window at their teen son or daughter and think that thought.
The phrase resonates today in a different way for me. What if I focused even more attention this year on making my life one of worship, worshiping the Lord every chance I get, in every circumstance, no matter the situation or how difficult it is, and for even the smallest moment of joy? What if…?
What if I determined to weave worship into every life experience in a more intentional way than I already do? What if I gave voice to the praise in my heart more often?
That’s going to leave a mark.
It’s bound to leave a mark on my life.
What a beautiful, invisible tattoo it would be if this new year were marked as a year of worship, if my life were one continuous stream of ceaseless praise to the God who made me, the God who planned out my days, the God who already knows what this year will hold, the One who sustains me through it all!
Ceaseless praise. That’s going to leave a mark.
PRAYER: Even though I know others will be watching, Lord, this is really between You and me. Hold me to this course, I pray! Hold me to the commitment to make worship a re-MARK-able part of this new year.
“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise for our God. Many people will learn of this and be amazed; they will trust the Lord” (Psalm 40:3 CEB).
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels and novellas, devotion collections, speaking, teaching, and a history of 33 years as a radio writer/producer. Her books have been recognized by RT Reviewers’ Choice, Retailers’ Choice, Family Fiction Readers’Choice, and other honors. Her novel When the Morning Glory Blooms (Abingdon Press Fiction) releases April 1, 2013. A nonfiction project—Ragged Hope: Surviving the Fallout of Other People’s Choices—releases July 2013 from Abingdon Press Christian Living. www.cynthiaruchti.com
Thank you, Cynthia! Oh my goodness, my mom said that all the time and I did too. And now you’ve updated it for me, elevated it for me. You’ve made “That’s gonna’ leave a mark!” mean something so lovely. Yes, surely ceaseless praise will leave a mark. I’m looking even now for other practices I can adopt that will leave similar marks.
Worthwhile challenge for us all in the new year. Lots of sad and hurtful things leave “marks” on us; thanks for encouraging us all to leave joyful impressions in 2013!