Today’s Reflection
JESUS CALLS US to gratitude. He calls us to recognize that gladness and sadness are never separate, that joy and sorrow really belong together, and that mourning and dancing are part of the same movement. That is why Jesus calls us to be grateful for every moment that we have lived and to claim our unique journey as God’s way to mold our hearts to greater conformity with God’s own. The cross is the main symbol of our faith, and it invites us to find hope where we see pain and to reaffirm the resurrection where we see death. The call to be grateful is a call to trust that every moment of our life can be claimed as the way of the cross that leads us to new life.
—Henri J. M. Nouwen with John S. Mogabgab
A Spirituality of Living: The Henri Nouwen Spirituality Series (Upper Room Books, 2011)
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Today’s Question
How do you see gratitude leading to new life? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
—Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.
Something More
Practice seeing blessings all around you! Upper Room author Beth A. Richardson invites us to practice the Celtic way of seeing God in everyday life. Join our online community for the eCourse edition of Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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When we start to count our blessings, we will realize how much God has blessed us. We experience the goodness and faithfulness of God every day.
Thank you God for your goodness and faithfulness!
Blessings!
I am grateful to have this expanded vision of gratitude in ALL things. Out of hard, trying circumstances – blessings can and do bloom, if we have eyes for them. Father, thank You for opening my eyes. Help me to stay in those difficult moments, trusting in Your will and ways – and expectant in seeing the goodness of Your manna, in Your timing.
Grateful for an intimate gathering of some of my small group members last evening, in celebration of a birth. With just a small group of 5, we were able to share transparently, to listen well – long into the evening. Father, thank You for those treasured, authentic moments. You were in the midst.
Father – for the concerns of those who gather here, shared or not – lead us in to a deeper trust of You, desiring Your Sovereignty reign in each situation.
When you take time to think about all that you should be thankful for, it’s amazing what you find. I was very thankful for writing John Davis, then calling him, and finally yesterday, meeting him. Lots of similar experiences in our lives. Had a wonderful visit with him. Thankful for safe trips there and back. At home I’m thankful the cut of meat Erich has been looking for arrived, he’s making great progress painting his room, his skin is healing, the weather is cooling down, and his job search continues.
Still no word on Doris and Meesook’s procedures.
Amen to Jill’s post, “Father – for the concerns of those who gather here, shared or not – lead us in to a deeper trust of You, desiring Your Sovereignty reign in each situation.” Thank You, Lord.
This reflection immediately brought to mind the Serenity Prayer line “enjoying one moment at a time.” It was this line that floored me the first time I read it and moved me to recite the entire prayer daily. It was an indictment, because I did not and still do not always follow this dictum.
Prayers for Mary, may her joy infect all around her.
Prayers for Jill and her small group and the new baby.
Prayers for Robert and his finally meeting someone he connected with over shared interests and experiences. May thier new friendship thrive and grow.
How eloquent and succinct Jill, “Father – for the concerns of those who gather here, shared or not – lead us to a deeper trust of You, desiring Your Sovereignty reign in each situation.” May each individual accept Your timing and Your divine resolution.
Thanks Julie!
May you experience more of God’s love, goodness and faithfulness every day!
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