Some years ago, I noticed that certain verses and even brief phrases seemed to stand out from Bible passages I read during my daily devotions. I found myself thinking about, meditating on, "ruminating" the words throughout the day. It amused me to picture myself "chewing my cud." I shouldn't have been surprised. The Bible does say "we are his people, the sheep of his pasture" (Psalm 100:3 b, NIV), and sheep chew a cud.

Other pictures came to mind: a baseball player as he chewed a wad of bubble gum; an old codger with a chaw of tobacco tucked into one cheek. The more delicate expression would be in reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Of her the Scriptures record: "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19, NIV). The meaning is the same.

"You thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night" (Psalm 1:2-3, The Message).

So was born my daily wad. I wrote the phrases on cards, thought about the words throughout the day, and shared them with others as opportunity presented itself. I was blessed, others were blessed. My prayer is that you will be blessed as you read, ruminate, and are refreshed by The Daily Wad.