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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

 

Today’s Reflection

When we were living in Tuskegee, Alabama, I’d set up a picnic table on the screened-in front porch of our home so we could dine outside when the weather was nice. I lit the hurricane lamps just as a fashionably dressed woman passed by on her way home from the nearby veterinary school. I had often seen her and sometimes felt a twinge of jealousy, imagining what it would be like to be such a refined professional woman. Later, when she and I actually met, I discovered that this woman had walked by our home on many evenings, admiring our family gathering and the glowing hurricane lamps. I think we had each been swayed by envy.

—Lucimarian Roberts, My Story, My Song: Mother-Daughter Reflections on Life and Faith (Upper Room Books, 2012)

Today’s Question

When have you been “swayed by envy”? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not fleshly and behaving according to human inclinations?
—1 Corinthians 3:3 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God, this week we thank you for mothers and other people who have shown us the value of faith and singing songs of praise to you. Help us to pass on the lessons they have taught us and to demonstrate grace toward others. Amen.
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Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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4 Comments

  • Jill Posted May 13, 2023 5:33 am

    Hmmmm – an interesting question. What comes to mind, but doesn’t quite fit – when I was trying to find a teaching job. I wanted so desperately to teach, but couldn’t get hired. I wasn’t necessarily envious of one particular person – but just couldn’t understand why I did not land a job. I thought I knew what job I wanted. And now, as I am finishing up my 30th year – I couldn’t imagine a better career arc. I couldn’t write a better job description than what I have now. But – it literally came down to the 11th hour – as I was ready to give up on finding a teaching job…it was the end of my 5th summer of looking and I got hired 3 days before school started. God had it all mapped out.
    I met my friend for dinner at a place we frequent near her house and then went to her place to do the next chapter in our book. We took the dogs for a walk, and ran to a local fresh produce market by her house, just before it closed. I was so tired when I got home, that I put my few purchases in the refrigerator and went straight to bed.
    Dad and I are playing golf today. Rain might be an obstacle – but it didn’t rain overnight – and it was supposed to. Now it looks like it might rain around noon, but the chances are less than 50%. We tee off at 10:30.

  • Julie Posted May 13, 2023 9:33 am

    I am jealous at times of women who are doing things together. I have Megan but no close friend to do activities with. My best friend lives in another state.
    It is raining here, but should be nice tomorrow. Shopping today and a little tomorrow but a movie and cleaning my car also.

  • robert moeller Posted May 13, 2023 2:07 pm

    For an unknown reason or one I can’t get a grip on, for most of my life I’ve been happy with what I have and envious of someone else.There have been at least three times when I turned away from a model I would love to have. Too expensive, didn’t really know how good it is, or have more helpful ways to use my money.
    I did a lot that were stepping stones to teaching: education, fulfilling my military obligation, and twice graduate school. I wish I could say that my 30 years as a teacher all went with the same level of enjoyment. There are very precious years, and years of struggle. It all worked out well in the end. Have no idea what else I would have done .
    Time to move on to next year as our winter sports teams’ seasons have ended. It’s not the end of the world.
    Windy on my walk today, makes the 67 degree temperature feel chilly.
    Ladies Luncheon all set up, should be over now, hope it went well.Worship tomorrow. Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms! The big day is tomorrow. Thank You, Lord.

  • robert moeller Posted May 13, 2023 2:08 pm

    Not envious

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