The lionhearted thoughts of a girl named Lainey.

This past week felt heavy. The world seemed darker — crueler, even. Innocent lives were lost, stolen in senseless tragedies. We marked the anniversary of one of our nation’s darkest days. And personally, struggles within my circle of loved ones seemed to intensify. It was a week of sorrow, confusion, and emotional exhaustion.

I found myself overwhelmed. Where do we go from here? How do we move forward when the rhythm of life feels broken?

📖 I stumbled across a book that breathed life into my weary soul. I’ll share the title below in case it blesses you too. As I read, the author reminded me of something simple yet profound: life has a rhythm.

As a former dancer — and one who still finds joy in movement — I understand rhythm deeply. Sometimes it’s fast, chaotic, pulsing with urgency. Other times it’s slow, poised, and graceful. But life, like dance, can lose its rhythm. We get out of sync. Out of harmony. And in those moments, we must pause… and find our rhythm again.

But how?

We begin with remembering.

Psalm 103:1–5

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

🕊️ The Hebrew words zakhar (remember) and shakach (do not forget) echo through scripture like a heartbeat. They are not passive suggestions — they are active invitations.

To remember is to restore. To remember is to realign. To remember is to return to the rhythm of grace.

When we pause to reflect on what God has done — not just in the grand sweep of history, but in our own lives — something shifts. Faith is rekindled. Hope is reborn. Peace begins to settle in.

I’ve found that when I start to remember, the stories pour out. The pen can’t keep up. Miracle after miracle. Healing after healing. All the moments God showed up — rescued me, comforted me, strengthened me.

John ends his gospel with this breathtaking line:

“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” — John 21:25

That’s the rhythm of remembering. It’s infinite. It’s sacred. It’s soul-restoring.

So if you’re feeling lost, weary, or unsure of what comes next — pause. Remember. Don’t forget.

Let Psalm 103 be your song. Let it be your dance. Let it be your rhythm.

Because remembering is good for the soul. It brings shalom — peace, wholeness, harmony — to your life, your family, and your story.

🕊️ A Prayer of Peace and Rhythm

Lord God, In the stillness of this moment, we come before You — weary, burdened, and longing for peace. You are the God who sees, who heals, who redeems, and who restores. You are the rhythm beneath our chaos, the melody in our silence, the harmony in our brokenness.

We remember You now. We remember Your wonders, Your mercy, Your faithfulness through every season. We remember the times You carried us, comforted us, and breathed life into dry places. We remember Your Word, Your promises, and Your unfailing love.

Restore our rhythm, Lord. Let our hearts beat again in sync with Your grace. Let our souls dance again in the freedom of Your peace. Let our minds be renewed with hope, and our spirits lifted with faith.

For every reader here, I pray: May the peace of God guard your heart. Amen.

Book: Feasting on God’s Word by Kristi McLelland