Today’s Reflection
The tension of sacrifice draws me into closer relationship. Sometimes the relationship I’m tending means that I explain to my children why I won’t be available to tuck them in one night. Sometimes I’m drawn into closer relationship with my children, and I focus my energy on them. Our sacrifices and our choices remind us that we are all image-bearers, and every relationship is holy. On whomever I focus my attention, I have the chance to see the face of Christ.
—Lauren Burdette, This Life That Is Ours: Motherhood as Spiritual Practice (Upper Room Books, 2019)
Today’s Question
How have decisions of sacrifice shaped you and led you deeper into the holiness God is growing in you? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you should do it all for God’s glory.
—1 Corinthians 10:31 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Lord,
May I see my moments of strength and my moments of weakness as invitations to draw closer to you.
Amen.
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Something More
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Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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4 Comments
Not everyone may see or experience this. I sometimes wonder if it is happening, but keep on trying as God gives me the ability. Prayers for those whose Mothers are memories as well as the Mothers still with us. There are two sides to Mother’s Day. Thank You, Lord, for being with all Mothers.
My precious mother is in heaven and I think of her most every day. Many times I want to ask her something, but know I can’t, but since I am in the autumn of my life, I know that one day I will be able too.
I feel there are times when I should have sacrificed and did not. Living6 hours from my family and working, I feel I should have sacrificed more to help my sister with the care of our mom. I ask God today to help me to live intentionally and sacrificially. May it be so, Lord. My doctor made some changes in my medication s and I am feeling better. Thanks to all who have prayed for David and me. Robert, thank you for your insight into the 2 sides of Mother’s Day. Sarah, I too think of things I want to ask Mama and things I want to tell her. Jill, I am thsnkful your relationship with your sister is growing in a good direction. Julie, I’m with Jill regarding reaching out to the lady you met. praying for the outcome. April, will be agreeing with you in prayer as you seek God. Lou, prayers for you and your family and for traveling graces. Prayers for Marcy, that she and Roxy are well. Prayers for all our posters we haven’t seen in awhile. M thankful for our mothers and lift up those whose mothers are no longer with us, those whose relationships with their mom is complicated, those mothers who are grieving for their children. May they feel God’s comfort today. Be blessed, everyone.
God rewards the sacrifices I make in caring for Dad. When I have papers upon papers to grade, but spend 7-8 hours with dad on the weekend to golf and eat, the papers always get graded and I have sufficient rest. When I feel low on ability and desire to spend more time with dad – there is a reprieve of some sort. When living sacrificially, God takes care of the details and my trust in His faithfulness grows.
Rain and snow here today, pretty miserable to be out and about. But nevertheless, I was out in it with my friend, hitting some of our favorite stores to the north. We enjoyed our lattes, our time together and a pizza at the end of it all. I now sit here, still not having cracked open my book back. I suppose I’ll put in a few hours grading here yet.
Great to be back in church this morning, after missing last week for the cancer support zoom meeting.
I thank you all your prayers buoying me through these last weeks of school. I had an almost magical moment Friday with my year two students. There was banter, laughing, great discussion. I almost cried Friday night reflecting back on it. I told them how much I missed this, and how it just isn’t there with my year one students. When the days and classes seem like a struggle, I will think back to these 15 minutes or so with my year 2 kiddos.
Ally – glad to hear you are feeling some better.
My friend and I had a good discussion regarding my sister today. She is pretty blunt and said to me – so, what do you think changed? I said – oh, it is me, by God’s grace. And she said – you are right, because Becky isn’t going to change. But Praise God, He is working on you. Yes, amen and amen.
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