Today’s Reflection
Whether with an intimate partner, a family member, or a friend, love calls us to move past our fixed ideas, our expectations, our assumptions about what we want to see, the false visions we construct about who others are. Love requires us to recognize and receive what is really there and to perceive how God dwells in the other. It can be difficult to abide the seeing, not because it is so challenging but because it is so wondrous. We may find it harder to take in another’s glory than to take in the difficulties that arise in relationship. Yet to abide the seeing and to remain alive is our invitation and our call.
—Jan L. Richardson, In the Sanctuary of Women: A Companion for Reflection and Prayer (Upper Room Books, 2010)
Today’s Question
When have you been able to see the wondrous glory of God dwelling in another person? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
I will place my dwelling among you, and I will not despise you. I will walk around among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.
—Leviticus 26:11-12 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Lord, guide me to reflect on—and learn from—the decisions I made yesterday so that they might reshape the longings I have for tomorrow.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
The featured book this week, In the Sanctuary of Women, highlights six women from around the world and across the centuries, inviting us to discover what their lives tell us about God. Come spend some time in the sanctuary of women, an often-ignored space in Jewish and Christian history. Read more.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
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3 Comments
There have been moments all through my life when glimpses of God have shone through people. Naming, identifying , and tagging them is very hard, but their presence is undeniable. They can even appear in people who profess not to believe. I think they would be surprised.
A wonderful day yesterday, my sister visited and helped Willa and Oona work with clay. Objects were made that will be fired and glazed. The first movie night was a great success, and there were great lunches and suppers for all. Blessings to all on this Sunday. Next Sunday I’ll be back in church.
Bible reading continues in the book of Isaiah.
My grandmother, called by her grandchildren, Maa-Maw. She is the most Christ-like person I’ve ever known. She was a teacher, starting in a 1 room school in Appalachia in 1924 when she was 18. How I miss her beautiful face. There have been many others who showed me through their actions the heart of God.
Robert, I like what you said about the glory of God in those who profess not to believe. I have known folks like that too. Prayers for our UR family. May we all have a beautiful Sunday. Blessings to all.
I have seen such growth into spiritual maturity in my best friend. We have been growing, but not in conjunction, yet wondrously, nevertheless. Now our spiritual paths are overlapping and we are capable of diving deep into spiritual conversations. It’s beautiful, how God works. I see His strength in her as she manages her anxiety, as she navigates parenting and now, sending her oldest off to college. (Good grief!)
The concert last night was so pleasant. It was also terribly crowded. Sold out, in fact. People are so anxious to get back to “normal” experiences.
Dad continues to concern me. As he tries to behave himself, he is feeling extremely isolated again, left out of activities. Hearing this sorrow in his voice really impacts me. He called the doctor this morning, because he just isn’t feeling himself and the doctor prescribed him an antibiotic. I hope this finally knocks this out, as I am concerned about him emotionally. I actually had the thought today while I was mowing my yard – I think he could benefit from counseling. I don’t know. I have to only assume a healthy amount of responsibility for his contentedness. Yet, it weighs on me heavily. I am asking for God to help me with this.
The sharings of the cancer support group this morning were wonderful, so meaningful to me. We were discussing three of the fruit of the Spirit – kindness, gentleness and goodness. We compared and contrasted those – and spoke about how cancer should be promoting growth of these fruit. At the end, the leader had a few statements to sum things up and the one that struck me was – “Kindness is about giving, not about avoiding inconvenience.” This hit me straight between the eyes. I didn’t want to go over and sit with dad today, because it just wears on me so. Hello – that shouts inconvenience. Very comforting to confess and be utterly honest before God. My sister and her husband picked up dad after church and took him to lunch and for a ride. Grateful for that, and grateful for time alone this afternoon, to do yardwork, to nap and to tend to other things.
Thank you for your continued prayers for my dad, as well as myself and my attitude.
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