Today’s Reflection
BEING PRESENT involves letting go of our current preoccupations, immersing ourselves in the here and now, and giving ourselves wholeheartedly to whatever is at hand.
Involving far more than being merely physically present, it’s about becoming more aware, alert, awake to the fullness of the immediate moment. If we are with another person, it means engaging him or her with all of our heart, our mind, our soul, and our strength. Such wholehearted attention requires patience, time, and disciplined effort. And it is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to those around us, especially our suffering neighbor.
When a priest asked the Russian spiritual writier Catherine de Hueck Doherty what contribution he could make to a hurting and broken world, she answered simply, “Your presence, Father.”
– Trevor Hudson
A Mile in My Shoes
From pages 30-31 of A Mile in My Shoes: Cultivating Compassion by Trevor Hudson. Copyright © 2005 by Trevor Hudson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books.
http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Who needs your presence today? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1, NRSV
This Week: pray for the leaders of nations. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Mother Teresa of Calcutta (September 5).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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7 Comments
Likely, it will be my mom who needs my presence today. And, my dad, too. I try to be very vigilant in awareness of protecting my dad, loving on him, making sure he is feeling loved and replenished. Oh, how he never, ever complains. What an example. How God shines through him, so effortlessly. Father, thank You for letting me see this. Please bless him.
I have been praying earnestly for mother’s mental well being, for the depression to loosen its grip as we head into the weeks ahead. Is God answering my prayer? Is He, indeed, doing far more abundantly than I can imagine or ask? Have I been negligent in pleading for her more? Questions that bump around in my head. Father – thank You for Your mercy. I know You’ve got this. Increase my trust in Your timing and Your ways.
I am grateful for the sermon at church yesterday – part of which was a stern warning about being prideful. How we long to be in control. I think that is a big issue with my mom. She cannot control her current physical state – and how that is something she has not ceded to God. Father, show me where pride is a divider between me and Your love. Grateful, too, for a sermon series at the church I used to attend. It is on vertical living – and I listened to the first two sermons yesterday while I was doing chores around the house. The second sermon was on vertical love, and the pastor gave his “take” on the five characteristics of love from I Corinthians 13. Honor the other person – be patient and kind. Forgive the other person…rude – the root word for rude is forgiveness. Do not be rude…forgive. Accept the other person – do not insist on your own way…love the other person just as they are. (That one jumped through the speakers of my computer and grabbed me. Yes, I must love mom as she is…not how I want her to be.) Commit to the other person – be devoted. Serve the other person. Father – thank You for pastors who are gifted in purveying Your Word. Father, have Thine own way, Lord. While I wasn’t intending to be up so early today, I am grateful for the stillness, the hovering of The Spirit. Thank You, Lord.
Mostly my son. Had a very good day together yesterday, Saw the town where we hope to move, took an important road that helps you get around, and saw a train high on the side of a mountain crossing a bridge.
Lawnfest, a craft, food, and flea market at church, wraps up today. The weather has been very helpful.
Prayers for all of you as the Labor Day weekend comes to an end. May you enjoy this last day and may the rest of the week be a blessing.
As best as is possible with this technology at the UR, we are present for each other. Thank You, Lord.
Connie is feeling better, thank You, Lord.
Hearing from Marcy is a blessing. Prayers that these migraines can be reduces, eliminated. Praying for comfort, well-being, and peace. Thank You, Lord.
Grateful for the comments and concerns expressed by Jill, Betsy, Mary and April focused on Erich and I. I am most certainly helped.
Prayers for Gloria, thankful the tennis is helping relieve tension and stress.
Thankful for the time Jill had with her Dad.
I’m reminded of the Lincoln’s comments about labor and capital. Lincoln considered labor more important since it makes capital possible. I think we have forgotten that.
Have a blessed day, enjoy the time you have, and remember those who work on a day dedicated to labor.
I need to be present for my daughter. I pray daily for the words and the direction to help her fiind her way in the world. Much like Erich, she is floundering and has no job prospects despite a college degree (and student loans). The job market is much different at this time than when I graduated from college.
Prayers for Jill, Gloria, and Larry. I pray for the Holy Spirit to work on Gloria’s heart, moving her to acknowledge that her life would be much improved if she seeks treatment for her dpression.
Prayers for Robert and Erich and their current situation. I know how diffficult finding a suitable job is for our young people. My prayers that the move solves this problem.
Prayers of thanks that we heard from Marcy. May her pain , vision issues, and fatigue be alleviated.
Prayers for Mary and a resolution ooof the work issues with colleagues.
Prayers of thanks that Connie is feeling better.
Prayers for April and her insights and words of reflection.
Prayers and blessings for each of the UR family members
Thanks dear Julia!
May you have good health and enjoy your fellowship with your daughter!
Blessings!
I just finished the book that Robert mentioned, “The Anatomy of Peace.” It is a book with lots to things to think about and several “visio” type diagrams of actions/reactions as well as a pyramid. I was encouraged to continue to try a new way to relate to others…see the cycle of actions/responses…. and then another way to meet others….. where they are and develop relationships before moving up the pyramid . The top is such a small area of the triangle and in comparison, the bottom of the triangle is so large..but oh how much more important it is to build the base before moving up to the top. I will work on this as I pray…
Julie, I am so sorry that I did not mention your daughter and her search for work after graduating even thought I mentioned Robert and Enrich. I am a believer in education….and that it will lead to peace in our world. I have changed positions several times in my career…each time I have researched the company and position I am applying for to see if I think it is a fit…why is it a fit? how will my education/experiences make me the fit for this company and me? I have never had all the “required” skills when I applied…but I have “other” skills that I would like to share for their consideration for the position….and I believe it is this aspect of the hiring process that has allowed me to be hired and grow with the new company. Job descriptions are just that….but a personal reflection/application has allowed me the opportunities to relocate and move forward with every position….I wish your daughter well….please keep us posted.
For all who labored today, thank you…you and your work is important!!
I think/pray for each of you who post as well as those that do not…may you know that our God is a God of Love….
Blessings to all.
One “guru”, I’m not so comfortable with that word, guess I prefer saintly person instead, did a one on one Bible study with me not long after my wife passed away. I very much appreciate that and it was a major turning point in my spiritual life. I also think there are others who helped me on my way, but for whom I have no name. Being sent to church on Sunday in army basic training, certainly is an example.
Thankful for a restful day, a nice walk, a change in the breakfast menu, an heirloom tomato on a sandwich at lunchtime, and a wonderful supper. Watched a baseball game, and saw two interesting movies.
Need to get up some steam and write the email to Germany for help with the Bismarck steamer. Have the cab, coal, and water assembly built. Need some nice tin snips to work on the boiler. It needs to be modified to fit over the motor.
Hope your Labor Day weekend was enjoyable. I miss not going to church on Sunday, but the time spent with Erich was very good.
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