Today’s Reflection
During the busyness and chatter of this season of the year, I can carve out space and time to sit in silence, quiet my inner noise, and turn toward God. . . . Whenever I feel overwhelmed and speeded up, I turn my attention inward, close my ears to outward noise, take some deep breaths, and sink down into the welcoming silence of the heart of God.
I invite you to be silent with God today. Take five, ten, or fifteen minutes to be still in God’s presence. Don’t worry if you are not successful during the first try. This discipline grows with practice. Keep carving out some space during each day. Have hope; God is there, waiting for you.
—Beth A. Richardson, The Uncluttered Heart: Making Room for God During Advent and Christmas (Upper Room Books, 2009)
Today’s Question
How can you make space to encounter God in silence? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.
—Psalm 62:5 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
Clear away the clutter, O God, that I might have more room for you.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
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.
3 Comments
Fulfill the commitment, just do it. Don’t hesitate or procrastinate,
Snow in the forecast and actually happening, so far a very minimal dusting.
Off to pick up the baked goods that are my Christmas gifts.
Prayers for all of you at NEM. This tiny type is a challenge for me, need my Optivisor to see the screen and check what I type. Christmas greetings and wishes to you. Thank You. Lord.
Not possible form e right now. Even if I had a spare moment, no way my mind could be emptied. I spend all day, from 5 am tto after 8pm working to get a job. I am trying to remember that God has a plan for me and I pray for His will to be done. I am still hoping the customer service job which is work from home is His will as it was in church from a church member that I heard of this opportunity. It still hasn’t been posted though.
Prayers for Ally’s health concerns and pending test result and for David’s and Jeremy’s ongoing health issues. Prayers for Larry’s condo sale and his anxiety and for Roger’s health. Prayers for Robert, for safe travel and a warm visit with his daughter and granddaughters. Prayers for Marti and her staff.
Thank you for your prayers and may God bless all who visit here.
Time each morning is where my space of quietness and preparation for the day begins. It is so nice to have extended time now, time to watch Roger settle in to his morning sleep, time to linger in the Word, time to do some extra reading. When I am ready, then I head into the other activities of the day.
Got a text this morning to fill in for tennis- which was very welcome. It was so windy, I had decided not to run. So – the 2 hours of tennis kept me off the elliptical. A win! Two people I have played very few times with – so that was nice to begin a relationship and to play good competitive tennis recreationally.
Have tennis again tomorrow, and a few errands to run in the morning. My sister and her husband will join dad and I at dad’s house for brunch late Christmas morning. Usually this was a breakfast on Christmas Eve for mom and dad. Switching it up a bit this year – fits better into schedules this way this year. Have to pick up cinnamon bread at a bakery – which I will use to make french toast. It is killer good. I also have to do another blood curve on Roger tomorrow.
Heading to Carolina on Sunday. Thrilled to see the temps are to be above normal. Only a few times the past 15 years have we been able to sit on the beach during this trip. But it looks like we will have 4 days in the 70s – so that’s a plus. I told my friend to bring the sunscreen for her dogs. They are going to have a big time.
Just finished a batch of cookies for Christmas day. I am also taking sweet and sour meatballs for the family gathering, late Christmas afternoon. I get them in the slow cooker early Christmas morning.
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