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 writer 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: Cultivating Compassion (Upper Room Books, 2005)
Today’s Question
Who needs your presence today? Join the conversation.
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)
Prayer for the Week
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.
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Something More
This Independence Day, give back to our servicemen and women who sacrifice so much for our freedom. Support The Upper Room Chaplains’ Ministry.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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4 Comments
Erich will have my full presence today and tomorrow , his dentist appointment is tomorrow. Thankful for continued gentle rain ,Pastor Carol Ames leads her first worship service at Center Conway NH UMC. The life of this small congregation continues. Thank You, Lord, Prayers for Pastor Sue Davidson who won’t be with us. Happy Fourth of July.
My son and his girlfriend will be here today and I am grateful for that. I invited a friend to stop by and I know she could use my presence. I have two other friends struggling with very different issues but I know they also could use my presence and I will reach out to them today. As I sit here I think of two more people that could use a reminder that they are thought of and loved. It is easy to get wrapped up in ones own struggles but this reading made me really think about who today I should reach out to-
I am grateful for the UR – for this place and for the prayers all of you offer up on my behalf. Prayers for all of you on this Independence Day. My grandmother’s birthday- she would’ve been 100 today. I miss her – we always had a big party for her! Blessings to all this day-
I was away for a few days helping a friend. I was present for her and her family for those days. Today, I am present with David. We took part in online worship and now getting ready to go for brunch and pickup groceries curbside. Later, we will celebrate the 4th with BBQ sliders, sausage dogs and fixings, baked beans, fresh corn salad, and mixed berry pie with ice cream for dessert. Tomorrow is my birthday. Not sure what we have planned. Please continue to pray for our health and job situation. I pray all have a safe and meaningful 4th. May the USA match the high ideals set forth in our Constitution and Declaration of Independence with a better execution of those ideals for all people. Have a blessed Sunday.
My dear friend who accompanied me through my diagnosis – she is on my mind and heart and in my prayers. Her daughter continues to struggle. We had the opportunity to speak quite a bit after church. She came in and sat a few pews in front of me. I could tell she was crying during one of the songs. She feels safe speaking to me, despite me not being a parent. I think being in education gives her a comfort level and she sees similarities in how we think and process things – and she was very aware of mom’s struggles and that process. And while this path is different, there are many similarities – and we process things in a similar way. She has asked me several specific questions about my decision making during mom’s final days, and we have had lengthy discussions on lamenting. My heart breaks for her – and, as the readings of this week reaffirms, just a presence can be enough. This afternoon it was a presence through texting.
I had to pause our texting conversation as tonight I was back serving dinner at the homeless shelter. I just reached back out to her, but have yet to get a response. It was good to be back volunteering, doesn’t seem like it has been over a year. Time, the passage of it, can seem so strange.
Good, too, to be back in church. Met up with another friend from the church – the one who first extended the invitation – we took a nice walk at a park between our two houses. Mostly shaded, which was a good thing as it got warm quicker than I anticipated.
Now, trying to comfort Roger as fireworks are going off quite a bit. He doesn’t cower like my previous cat, but he isn’t impressed. Could be a late night for the two of us.
Ally – hope you enjoy your birthday tomorrow. Continuing to pray for strength for both of you and your job situation.
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