Today’s Reflection
EACH OF US LEARNS to attend to the call of God day by day as we practice loving God with all that we are and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Though we may sometimes stumble and fall in our attempts to follow Jesus, even scraped knees can serve as a tangible reminder of the nearness of God. The evidence of our senses, the reasoning of our minds, the performance of our bodies—even the aching of our joints and the injury to our egos—can speak to us of God.
—Wendy LeBolt, Made to Move: Knowing and Loving God Through Our Bodies (Upper Room Books, 2019)
Today’s Question
What are the tangible things that remind you of God’s nearness? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
God made the nations so they would seek him, perhaps even reach out to him and find him. In fact, God isn’t far away from any of us. In God we live, move, and exist. As some of your own poets said, ‘We are his offspring.’
—Acts 17:27-28 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Lord, help me put my love for you in motion: reaching to hold, lifting heavy loads, showing up when it counts, applauding to share my joy.
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Something More
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Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
4 Comments
When I see family pictures – the smiles on our faces – I am reminded of the gift of my family. How God provided strength and even though mom struggled with depression – I am grateful that it did not significantly impact my life growing up. I do believe she enjoyed many things in life, including her family and friends, despite the darkness with which she struggled. When I hear dad’s voice on the phone, calling me from Florida – he sounds content and enjoying his time with my sister. And a current awareness to enjoy what I am able to do physically, for this too is a gift. I see how others are impacted around me by this illness and know not to take the ability to be active for granted.
It was good, as always, to be in church yesterday. Our pastor is wrapping up a study on Joseph – and yesterday’s sermon was on Jacob’s death. Our pastor, also off a recent loss of a parent, spoke eloquently about a “graceful exit”. For sure – this touched me. So many people are hurting in their own unique ways. Father God – give me eyes to see this and ears to listen. The right words and appropriate silence.
Loving God, loving neighbor, along with God’s command to love our enemies. The Trinity of love & so often ignored.
This winter my fingers and toes are free, so far, of the gangrene and painful oozing wounds. This is a tangible example that God is near and working through medication for my good. My Bible also came to mind, I hold it and read it and feel His words speak to me adressing whatever is my current need.
Prayers for Jill, may she find a new medication to help alleviate the renewed symptoms. May God be with her as she travels to Florida tomorrow.
Prayers of welcome to Illana.
Prayers for Robert, amy his physical go well and may he receive information regarding a therapist.
Prayers for physical and/or emotional healing for Andrea, Connie, Lou, and Marcy.
Prayers for April, BJ, Betsy, Edy, Mary, and Rick.
Prayers and thank you UR
Thankful for a great visit with my primary care doctor, I’m doing quite well. Give him paperwork to give to a therapist and while I have a wait, I am more hopeful that help will be found. Am searching for a career coach to help Erich, my methods worked in my job time, but aren’t what’s used today. He’s frustrated and rightly so. Hopeful some positive results can be found soon. Prayers for a safe trip to Florida, Jill, thankful your Dad is enjoying his time there. Yes,Illana, welcome, words of wisdom.
What great news, Julie, that your hands and foot are free gangrene and painful oozing wounds. I’m very thankful. May you be safe as well. All of the UR family, named and unknown, are in my prayers, whether it be health, well-being, mission trips, an empty nest or other concern. Thankful God knows them all much better than me. Thankful that everyone has blessings, often many we don’t immediately recognize.
Thank You, Lord.
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