THE DAILY CHEW™
CHEW on God’s Love. Live Transformed. Multiply Hope.
When “Better” Is More Than a New Habit
In Washington Heights, progress was measured out loud—by the block, the team, the family. “Did you step up? Did you bounce back?” It was never just about private wins. The same is true in the spiritual life: real growth isn’t about having fewer bad days, but about returning more honestly, more quickly, and more joyfully to the love of God.
Maybe You’re Wondering…
- “Am I actually changing?”
- “If my group slumps, does that mean we’re failing?”
- “How do we notice growth if old habits flare up again?”
Progress in this Gospel way isn’t perfection—it’s celebration of every honest return.
What To Measure (and What to Stop Measuring!)
Measure:
- How quickly you spot the “gap” between belief and emotion/habit
- How often you name your driver, practice CHEW, or ask for encouragement
- How much more honest, gentle, and joyful your returns become (especially after setbacks)
- How comfortable your group or family is with celebrating “small restarts,” confession, and gratitude
Don’t Measure:
- Days since your last “mess up”
- How “spiritual” you feel
- How often you execute the ritual perfectly
- Whether everyone always participates
Tools for Tracking (Simple + Real-Life)
- Personal: Keep a “return tally”—mark every day/week you confess, hear, exchange, and walk (even imperfectly).
- Family/Team: Whiteboard or digital “return wall”—each person shares a quick note when they notice a gap or make a Gospel comeback.
- Quarterly Celebration: Mark the calendar for a meal or group check-in. Share most surprising “returns,” celebrate courage, and name new leaders or stories.
A Real Example
- Last month: Our triad slumped for two weeks. Instead of hiding, we added a group text: “Where did you come home to Gospel today?”
Even the smallest shares (“I stopped spiraling midway through a stressful day”) became visible proof the Gospel was at work.
Remember This
You’re not more loved when your scorecard is clean. Growth is measured by every “comeback,” every confession, every moment you say “yes” to God’s love again. If a group fizzles, restart gently and celebrate the grace to begin anew.
CHEW On This™
“What story, tally, or wall could you keep this month to make every honest return—to God, to others, to your true self—simple and visible?”
Make every return a win.
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Learn how to make CHEWing a daily rhythm. Our hope is that everyone can learn to CHEW without ever needing to pay us for help. If you need anything to help you CHEW on God’s love throughout your day, please let us know at [email protected]!
CHEW on God’s Love. Live Transformed. Multiply Hope.
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