May 12th, 2026

Dear Friends,

“We attack each new day with the truth.”

You may be rightly wondering what ancient philosopher made that insightful comment. It is no less a philosophical light than the current coach of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team. Speaking at a press conference the day after his team took a 2-1 lead in the best of seven series, Martin St. Louis responded to a question about whether the team approached a game differently, depending on whether they had won or lost the previous game. St. Louis was quick to respond: “What happened in the previous game doesn’t matter. Yes, we’ll also acknowledge what was good but there is always something we can do differently or better. That’s our focus — the truth.”

How do you prepare for your day? Does your preparation change based on the experiences and events, successes or failures, of the day before? If it does, may I suggest that you rethink your approach? You are on a road that leads to inconsistency and frustration, no matter what you are trying to achieve or change. 

Of course, the Canadiens coach’s words sound familiar to those of us who are serious about following Jesus. Our Master said, “The truth will make you free.” Historically, that has been the watch cry of great social movements like the abolition of slavery and suffragism.

I want to suggest a less grandiose and more practical approach. It combines the insight of St. Louis with the holiness of St. Ignatius (he of Loyola in the 15th and 16th centuries). The founder of the Society of Jesus wanted his monks to have a practical approach to growth. Thus he came up with five simple steps that were to be practiced at least once a day. The steps are: 1) Thankfully, place yourself in God’s presence; 2) Pray for grace to understand how God is at work in your life; 3) Review your day, recalling specific moments or activities and how you felt at that time; 4) Reflect on your actions, words or thoughts in that moment and whether you were drawing closer to God or moving further from him; 5) Look ahead to tomorrow and consider how you might work with God and his plan, being specific.

The two St.’s offer us good insight and practice. How was yesterday? Where did you act in a missional, Christ-centred way? Where did you fail to act that way? Why? What needs to change? What do you need to do to become more open to the grace to change? As you look to tomorrow, what concerns you? What do you anticipate? Why? How can you practically apply the promises of scripture to your excitement and concerns? 

Don’t be too grandiose here. Think “the way I think of others who drive poorly,” how I will do that assignment or job to the best of my ability, why I must persevere in teaching my child limits or proper behaviour. Think about the real stuff in your real day. Attack it with truth in the presence of God and his grace. Now, execute your living on the basis of what you discover. Do it again the next day. Form habits; participate in changing your character; find grace!

Blessings!

Doug