This morning as I stretched my muscles, it struck me that a good stretch causes real pain. In fact, it seemed to me that I was feeling pain roughly equal to a moderate case of arthritis. Rather than feeling bad, however, the pain seemed good. I had control and could back off from it at any time.

I know that while a good stretch takes me well beyond what is comfortable, it increases my range of comfort. Embracing the good pain, keeps the bad pain at bay.

God grant me courage and desire to move beyond comfort every day with you. Enlarge my heart. Stretch my capacity to give. Help me live fully and love freely. Help me choose short-term pain in light of lasting gain.