Today’s Reflection
What ability do you hold in your hand? Please don’t compare it with what others have. It may be big or small, but God has uniquely gifted you for a specific purpose. You already possess what God wants to use to bless others. Thank God for your ability; commit yourself to develop it further and to employ it in the service of others. When we use whatever is in our hand with courage and compassion, we begin to contribute toward the building of a better world for all, even if the only thing we can do well is listen!
—Trevor Hudson, Questions God Asks Us (Upper Room Books, 2008)
Today’s Question
What ability has God given you to contribute toward building a better world? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
We are God’s accomplishment, created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God planned for these good things to be the way that we live our lives.
—Ephesians 2:10 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
God, help me hear what you are asking of me.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
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Lectionary Readings
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11 Comments
God has gifted me with the ability to teach – and I try to honor Him through my job. I try not to take for granted the path He has led me on these past 27 years and am grateful for how He has grown me and so many beautiful young minds He has entrusted to me. It is so very different to consider what school might look like next year. Our district was interviewed by a local media outlet and it sure seems like secondary education will be most impacted, as children move from class to class. “Blended” is the word that keeps popping up. I get the impression that I (and all my colleagues) may be in the building daily – but may only see the same students a max of twice a week. Stay tuned.
A second thought that came from the question prompt is – I continue to ask Him and wait on Him to use my experience with mom’s illness and passing, to assist someone else on their journey. I will stay involved (as much as I can virtually for now) with the support groups and plugged in at my church as well.
Thank you all for your prayers for me. Yesterday was a good GI day for me, thankfully. I felt much better than I did on Tuesday…which was a rough day. Don’t have all my strength yet, but was able to golf with dad and his cousin. Very grateful for that. Also, did takeout Chinese with my friend – had gluten with no reprecussions. Going to line up all these puzzle pieces very shortly with my doctor. See what she has to say. Hoping to take a walk this morning as well.
Storms rolled through last night, not as bad as predicted. So, now – much cooler, comfortable temperatures for the next several days.
I appreciate the transparent sharings here. May God continue to guide us in our daily lives and may we seek to glorify Him – in all things, yes even the mundane things. Nothing is wasted.
Reading our question for today: What ability has God given you to contribute toward building a better world?
I read this and copied it:
Remember Our Value & Worth
We must remember that our worth and value is not in those around us.
Our value and worth are in the Lord.
We all have value because we have all been blessed with talents and gifts.
He has created all of us uniquely and we are all valuable to him beyond measure.
We Must Turn The Other Cheek And Keep Moving Ahead
When people try to bring us down we must let if fall on deaf ears.
We need to continue to pursue the dreams the Lord has placed in us and the roads on which He is leading us.
If we are having an off day at work, forgive ourselves for the mistakes we make, and make an effort to enjoy the rest of our day.
Listen closely to the Lord’s guidance in our hearts on how to specifically handle a situation.
Will be back in a bit.
Hello UR New Every Morning family and friends. I also wanted to add that I do my best to encourage others. I do pray that one day I’ll be able to get out and around so I can share God’s Love with those who don’t know it. Just by sharing my experiences, no pushiness. Obedience, being a good listener and trying to be a blessing to others, are also attributes I am working on.
Praying for Julie, that things are moving along concerning h. I am on Day 4 in my novena to St. Francis of Assisi for Chai and also for Tazzie’s anxiety. Praying that Jill and her doctor can figure out her GI issues. Praising the Lord that Jill was able to go golfing yesterday! Praying for Ally and David as they both continue to recover. Lord, please return them both to full health! Continued prayers for Robert, Rick, Lou, Andrea, April and all who are just reading and not commenting. You are loved! Prayers for all in the BALCONY and beyond as God sees your needs an concerns.
And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love; and the greatest of these is LOVE! Sending prayers and good wishes anchored in God’s Love to you all.
💌🙏💐⚓🔱❤🌄❤🙏❤🌅❤🙏❤🐈❤🐱❤
I am a good listener and used this skill in my short time as an intern during social work training. It was amazing how people flourished just by having someone listen with intent and genuine interest. Those thought to be dying were taken off hospice because they improved so much. Unfortunately, this would result in them failing again and they would be put back on hospice, etc. Such are the vagaries of our healthcare system. I am also a wiz at math and science.
Prayers for Jill and her happy day yesterday. I checked your facebook page and saw your beaming face with your dad and cousin. Prayers that your doctor can alleviate your suffering. May those in charge of your school district proceed with caution regarding next fall and how to educate students best in this current time.
Prayers for Marcy and Lucy Lou, may both receive medical care soon and may both have suffering relieved. Thak you for the first comment it is lovely and thank you for your continued prayers. Had a fright with Tazzie as he refused food but I think he was full as he was running around several minutes later.
Thank you all for your prayers for Megan, Chai, Tazzie and myself. I am stressed to the breaking point daily and do not know the best way to proceed with h. I am afraid. He left first thing this morning. I will try to call my lawyer soon.
Prayers for Ally and David, may they grow strong together and may they receive all the services necessary to aid recovery.
Prayers for Rick, his husband and LC. May LC continue to have a health reprieve. May all of them regaintheir equilibrium in the new house, community and environment.
Prayers, thank you and good health dear UR one and all
God Bless you!! May God bless you wherever you are and however you are!! May you feel the presence of God along this journey of life!! You are God’s beloved child, you are loved!!
Every morning I listen to an online website that starts with Blessings from God. I am immediately inspired, comforted, calmed. Just reading and hearing this moves me to a higher level of being and toward joy. Yes, joy. It is my word for the year, really, many years as I have not gotten it out of my mind yet….maybe that is the point, it should never be out of my mind, for The joy of the Lord, is my strength, Nehemiah 8:10.
Praises for the posts and insights into the family relate their concerns and answers, from God or others they have consulted. May we all be assured that God knows our needs before we even ask, what an awesome God we have.
Have been doing sewing projects and accomplishing them. Have almost finished reading through the Five Year Book…oh how many questions for me to consider and prioritize as I start to put pencil to paper.
I am continuing to read and listen to the Upper Room study on ways to pray, refocusing my thoughts in that I am leaving open time to hear from God as He walks with me on my journey on life. I am becoming aware of His nudging to “get it” as He presents opportunities and events before me. New life again yesterday as we saw the Mommy duck with her 5 little ones swimming around in the river. COVID-19 did not stop Spring, nor will it Summer or new life, etc.
God has given me many gifts and I have had the opportunity to do/share many of them….piano/organ, teaching, listening, writing letters, baking, gardening, sewing, caring for others physically and financially, etc… but I think He is leading me to either take one up and be more of “an expert”or He is leading me to something altogether new….I am ready to know.
Yesterday I saw a picture of Forget-me-not flowers and was reminded of Connie and all our family…may all feel welcome to join at our table here at New Every Morning, you are never forgotten.
May the Holy Spirit be with you and strengthen you for this day. Blessings.
I would say my biggest gift has been being a nurse. While I do possess leadership qualities, I much prefer being at the bedside. Working and encouraging my patients and working with their families during the many stages of life. My work in ministry has taught me gracious hospitality, as well as deeper appreciation for listening well. Serving as a lay minister and a Stephens minister/leader has allowed me to be even more compassionate. In ministry to the sick in hospitals and hospice as well as in home settings I have also been well served. I also felt very much at home working with the unhoused and those who are food insecure. I feel it is where I am supposed to be at work, among all God’s beloved children. While a ways off from my calling and at times I get into fear, I remind myself how blessed I am. I read something a few years ago about a pastor that would often seek this advice of a long time Lay Person. The answers would be, “I don’t know pastor, won’t it be good to see what the Lord will do in this situation.” I know it is good to be in the company of all of you as I see so many more gifts and talents in all of you here on this journey.
I hold all your prayers, concerns and joys in my prayers and wish you joy.
May the Peace of Christ be with you all today. 🙏🏻❤️
Just glad to be back ON LINE. My keyboard died and it took a while for the new one to arrive. Am catching up, adjusting, Hope to be better able to write soon. This is two days ago, am missing the 12th and 13th issues of New Every Morning. Healing for Jill, Lou, Marcy, and Julie. Have a blessed Sunday.
Wonderful posts from the past mixed with present, not sure why, but they are a blessing to read none the less. The names are all familiar, people still posting and those we still long to hear from.
Prayers for heath issues are always at the top of my list as people try to be fully alive. Sustaining that life comes next with prayers for the means to live, food, shelter, clothing, and the needed tools. It will be a hot day again here in NH, but cooler at night. Adjustments to the changes in Covid are being made. Prayers and help for the people leaving Afghanistan, prayers for Haiti and the wildfire areas of the US, for flooded areas, and for those still unvaccinated where ever they are. Compassion and advocacy are two of God’s gifts to me. Thankful I am able to help others and try to make changes for the better. Thank You, Lord.
I agree Robert – I loved the old postings today- it confused me at first but they were good to reflect back on- all of the sharing here.
I think my gift is my big heart. I love big and that is a good part of me. I am a very giving person and I give my heart to my family, friends, and my people that I work with too. I care deeply about others and that makes me successful in my line of work also.
Thankful for all of the prayers offered here – I am finally back home after a challenging time braving hurricanes and heat advisories while moving from a 4th floor walk up to a second floor walk up in Brooklyn – but we did it. I left my child with a lot of organizing and unpacking to be done but we got everything moved in and I am happy for that.
The first therapy session with the new therapist went well also so I am hopeful that progress will be made – at least she likes this new person. Junior year of college starts on Monday – I’m praying that all will stay healthy and that it will be a productive year for her. Thankful for the resources to allow me to help her.
Prayers for students and teachers everywhere starting the new year- may it be a healthy and productive year for all.
Continued prayers for all here at the UR.
I posted using the website NEM entry
As I see my answers from a little over a year ago, I believe my response remains unchanged. I will continue to glorify Him through my job, working with young minds. I will also wait on Him to see how I may be used as a companion on someone’s road. Until then I will remain alongside dad.
Speaking of which – he is getting a covid test again tomorrow morning. Says he still isn’t feeling right. Additionally, he received an email about someone at his church, in his Sunday morning small group has covid and all in the room needed to be notified. Thankfully – dad had on a mask – the only one in the room. We had plans to have dinner tomorrow night, but now it is on hold. He doesn’t know what type of covid test he will be receiving in the morning – how long it will take to get the results back. My sister and I continue to communicate well. I am not convinced he didn’t have covid earlier – and the way he is feeling now may be the lasting effects.
The meeting at school was dreadfully long and we have another day of it tomorrow. I can’t wait until we can just teach! Now am wondering about how it may be delayed due to jury duty.
Thanks for the idea, Julie – regarding tictok. I may take you up on it. He has kept everything down again today. When I first rescued him, his stomach was very upset – and the vet recommended pumpkin puree and a cat probiotic. I think this will be my next go to. My latest observation is that if he eats food with a clear broth – he is not getting sick. But if it is a darker gravy – he has gotten sick. Will keep observing.
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