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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

The best approach in offering help to older people is to determine whether the older person needs and wants our help or whether they can rely on their own strengths and abilities. We need to avoid giving unasked-for help or advice and trying to change people and instead trust the path God has chosen for them. We need to simply be with older people, accepting them with their frailties, and be available when they ask for our help.

—Richard L. Morgan, Light of Setting Suns: Reflecting on Realities and Mysteries at Ninety Years of Life (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

In your efforts to help older people, what can you do to respect their dignity? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
—Ephesians 4:32, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Lord of all ages, I feel blessed that you have given me these
bonus years. Help me to live each day as if it were my last,
redeeming whatever time remains. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Find out how author Richard L. Morgan has stayed resilient into his 90s despite the many losses that accompany later life. Read more about him here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted March 20, 2021 6:49 am

    I think my introduction to respecting the dignity of older people began sis decades ago visiting Mrs. Lyon. She lived alone, didn’t have many visitors and delighted in the visits of children. As younger children my sister and I had visited her and her husband with my Dad. Then came visits on our own. Those were much simpler times, just being there was fun. Presence makes a huge difference. I grew up respecting, enjoying older people.
    Will meet church friends for lunch today, this is becoming a tradition. Now I’ m the older person.
    Spring is here, snow melting, the in like a lion, out like a lamb of March is taking place.
    After a very long hiatus I’m soldering again. Made progress on the model, still have a bit more to do.
    Thankful for the right tool, solder, and flux
    Hope this is a peaceful weekend for everyone, that peace and safety are present; healing and progress are being made. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted March 20, 2021 7:49 am

    I, too, learned time spent with an elder was the best way to respect tham and learn from their wisdom. I enjoyed spending time with my grandparents and older neighbors. I learned to be patient and respectful of all individuals and their respective needs.
    Prayers for Robert and his church friends, may they enjoy their fellowship today.
    Prayers for Ally, David, and Lewis kitty, may all be stengthened by God’s healing.
    Prayers for April and her family and may her renewed spiritual practices deepen her relationship with the Lord.
    Prayers for Jill, Larry and Becky and may Becky continue to report good news regarding Larry and his activities.
    Prayers for the UR administrators.

  • Ally Posted March 20, 2021 1:38 pm

    In dealin with my elderly mom and with clients I worked with with, it is important to respect them and not be patronizing in our attempts to help. We must treat them as mature people and not like “big children”. In as much as it is possible, respect their wishes and their choices. It is also important for them to feel needed and have something to contribute, because they do. I thank God for the seniors in my life. Thank You God, for their wisdom and their love.
    David is doing very well in home health therapy. He’s had his nursing, PT, and OT assessments. They feel confident he will meet all his goals. Thanks be to God. He’s in pretty good spirits and is doing some things for himself. Kitty Lewis is eating some, but still needs to eat more. Julie, he really likes the Nulo treats. Thank you so much for telling me about them. He is less sneezy and sniffly, but I think may need a different antibiotic. We are at vets waiting to be seen. Please continue prayers.
    Robert, so good to see your comments and glad that the issue was worked out. We missed you. Julie, thanks for your prayers for our family. I pray your comment issue is resolved as well. Many prayers lifted for court proceedings. Know I’m standing with you. I pray you find a faith community you connect with. Jill, praying you are feeling well. Prayers for you and your students and for Larry in Florida. April, I’m thankful to hear you are finding new ways to connect with the Lord. May we all find ways to draw closer in these challenging times. Thank Upu God,, for the UR family. Be blessed.

  • Jill Posted March 20, 2021 6:34 pm

    I hope to be able to bless my father as he continues to age and honor him and my Heavenly Father as I care for him with my sister. His temperament is so different from mom’s – I see it being vastly different. Mom wanted to be cared for at home and die at home. Dad has already spoken about not burdening my sister and I and going into a care facility. I also think my sister and my personalities complement each other and that will be a good thing as well. Hopefully we will all be depending on the Lord to guide us and strengthen us.
    April – so interesting that you commented on reading about Deborah. I, too, this week – as I work my way through my Chronological Study Bible – read about her. I am finding some parts fascinating – things I didn’t know, and are catching my attention. For example – Sampson’s story. More than just his hair. What a shame I am not more knowledgeable about the Old Testament.
    Good to have our regular crew here – responding, encouraging and praying.
    Wonderful weather here today, this first day of spring. Today was almost like a normal day. I consider myself fully vaccinated and two weeks out – starting to think about normal things. I went shopping at two different grocery stores this morning and picked up things from my colleague who continues to fight breast cancer. She made out a list for me and I dropped her stuff off. This afternoon – I picked up Thai and went to my friends. We watched basketball, lazed around, took the dogs for a long walk and ran an errand to a store. It felt so good -the warm weather, somewhat normal activities. And no school work! Of course, that makes tomorrow a heavy grading day. I just felt really lethargic today…probably from being back to school and then a tennis match last night which was an hour away. So – yeah – just needed to not do school work today. Lay around and watch the basketball.
    Going back to church tomorrow! Hoping I find it very safe with lots of social distancing. Even warmer tomorrow with more sun.

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