Today’s Reflection
SOMETIMES YOU WAKE UP and think to yourself, There’s no reason for me to get out of bed. You have no motivation, no anticipation. Each day feels just like the last.
Remember that you are called to be a disciple, and discipleship carries no expiration date. Your work on earth is not done. Get up, serve, stretch, and grow!
“If any want to beome my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
—Luke 9:23
– Missy Buchanan
Spirit Boosters
From the April 12 reading in the perpetual calendar Spirit Boosters for the Journey of Aging: 366 Devotions by Missy Buchanan. Copyright © 2016 by Missy Buchanan. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
What is God calling you to do today? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
1 John 5:6, NRSV
This Week: pray growth of body, mind, and spirit. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Athanasius (May 1).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
15 Comments
Today I will spend time with my best friend, watching her children, my god-children, play in their athletic events. My god daughter is playing on a new AAU basketball team this spring and I have been unable to attend any of the games thus far. So, this morning I will see her play two games. Then her brother has a baseball game in the afternoon. This will re-charge my batteries a bit. It is supposed to be a pleasant sunny day and it will be good to just sit with my friend, be unaware of time and take the day as it comes. It will be a good change of pace from the hecticness of the week.
Grateful to get my lawn fertilized after rain most of the day yesterday. Grateful that mom has eaten peanut butter again – first time since surgery it has appealed to her. Grateful that she is asking about Mother’s Day – we are beginning to make tentative plans.
I’m not a frequent late sleeper, it’s actually an accomplishment to sleep as late as 8 or 9 am and that is usually because I was up in the night. Have been a morning person all my life.
Not always sure what’s on the agenda once I’m up, but I can find things to do.
Thankful that last night’s very strong winds, rain, thunder and lightning have left us. Tornado warnings were out and they are rare here. Haven’t checked everywhere, but so far so good.
The take out turkey dinner went well for the most part, should have cooked one more turkey as we ran a bit short in that part of the menu.
Continued prayers for Gloria, Larry, Jill, Becky, Lou and her children, Julie and her daughter, Andrea, her daughter, grandson, and Lowell; Betsy, Connie and her husband; Mary and her parents, Francesca, April, Marcy, Rusty and K. God is with you for every need, concern, and joy. I think we have all seen God at work amongst us. I’m very thankful for that. There is power in prayer.
Thank You, Lord.
May you all have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Sunday.
5hank you, Robert. Prayers for you, Erich, and Anneliese. Blessings.
May I be find new ways to serve as Christ’s disciple.
I am dealing with many feelings, and this is where I fall back on my faith. Although it seems hopeless, that there is a dead end in communication with my daughter, that I will always be the person for her to dump on, lash out at and blame, that I must be ever wary of her anger – I must believe that there can be growth. I have absolutely no idea how to proceed. Many tears in recent days. I have seen my grief therapist and she tells me she will help me know how to preserve my dignity. I dearly miss my grandson. I am angry at my daughter for how badly she treats me. I plead with God for guidance, I plead with God for my daughter. I thank God for my husband. He offered to intervene, but I’m not sure that would help, it might just make it worse.
My husband and I had an enjoyable hike with friends yesterday, a gorgeous day. There is much to be thankful for.
Thank you for your prayers. It is good to have this space to share.
On another note, I am afraid something happened to Marcy. It is not like her to be gone for so long. I am sad.
Wishing UR friends a blessed weekend.
Andrea, glad that you and your husband had an enjoyable hike. Time will heal your relationship with your daughter. May you and your daughter be reunited soon.
Blessings to all!
Thanks for your prayers and i commit each and everyone into God’s hands. May all be well and may all your needs be met.
Thank you, Mary. Prayers for you, your parents, and your new job, which I pray is going well. Blessings.
Praying for you and your daughter- if I recall correctly – you went through tough times long ago where it was just you and her – she knows how much you love her and the sacrifices I am sure you made for her- I think of my own daughter still at home and how hard the divorce has been on her – and I am the safe one that she lashes out at- and that is difficult – but I try to stay strong and am always here for her- at least I am trying – I pray your daughter recognizes your love for her and realizes that family is the only thing that really matters- I pray you get to see them or at least your grandson very soon. Prayers of peace and Gods love. Thankful you have your spouse for support –
Thank you, Lou. I pray for you, your daughters, and your son. Blessings.
I think all mothers are the safe person for their daughters to use as a verbal punching bag. I, too, have been in that role. When my daughter is angry or frustrated (especially with her father) she feels safer expressing it with me rather than the object of her angst. Time, patience, a thick skin, and asking questions have worked for me.
Prayers for Jill for a relaxing day. Thankful Gloria continues to improve.
Prayers of thanks for a successful church event for Robert.
Prayers for Andrea and her daughter. Prayers that her daughter seek help for her anger and more appropriate outlets.
Prayers for Mary and her parents.
Prayers for Lou and her youngest daughter as they struggle with the divorce and impending move.
Blessings and prayers for and thank you to all of the UR family
A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.
Father Faber
Thank you, Julie. I pray for you, your health, and your difficult home situation. Blessings.
I always enjoy Missy’s contributions. I try to think “get up, get dressed, get going”, but now I will add “serve, stretch and grow”. I was always an early morning person, but now not so much. I still get up early, though, and greet the rising sun.
Thankful for: all the flowering plants and trees around.
That now the Finches are a bright yellow. I put up a new “sock” feeder yesterday. Hummingbird feeder comes next.
The Robin’s beautiful song.
Connie, thank you for sharing your thankful thoughts!! Our hummingbird feeder is up and has been visited!! Now I will look for yellow finches too.
How exciting that your Hummers have visited….I’d better get going. I saw the first bright yellow Finch on the “sock feeder” this a.m.
Everyday we are called to be a disciple….wow!! How can I squeeze that into all the other things on my to-do list? Well, what about adding that thought to everything on my list instead of listing it as a separate item? Then it would be “added value” so to speak…but I think that might be the “extra” that the world would notice and ask, why? The answer: I am a disciple of Christ in all I do. Even if I am not asked, God and I know why I do what I do. And dear UR family, I see this everyday in all our posts….whether asking for help, expressing concerns, praises….we are a disciple to each other here and also wherever in the world we live.
My heart is sad for you Andrea and Lou as you share moments/encounters with your daughter/son and grandson. I have had and continue to have these occasions too and my way to respond is to wait and pray. I also send a little email or text to connect, I do not ask a question….then out of the blue, I might get a reply, but I never expect a reply. We do not live close in distance to our children and grandchildren, so I send a magazine subscription to each grandchild and they receive this every month or so. It has their name on it and is an opportunity to remember Grandma loves them and Mom loves her daughter. I used to send Babybug (6 months-2 years or so) and have moved on to other age appropriate magazines. It is amazing to me that these magazines have articles on feelings….sad, happy, divorce, new family members as in blended families that connect with real-life situations and maybe their/ours….just a thought. Sending hugs to all who have or are daughters/sons…..We love because God first Loved us.
April, thank you. I did just subscribe my grandson to Ladybug magazine. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. My prayers for you and your family.
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