Words of Hope during COVID-19
Trevor Hudson, a pastor, retreat leader from South Africa, and author of Pauses for Lent, discusses how to reshape our days when unexpected circumstances knock our lives out of shape.
Today’s Reflection
Listening lies at the heart of life with God. But in order to listen to God, we need to learn how to listen to the person next to us. After all, how can we listen to God, whom we cannot see, if we cannot listen to the person we can see?
Lent can be a time when we embark on a spiritual adventure in learning to listen. We can begin this exercise with those closest to us—our colleagues at work, family members, or friends. Listening will become a spiritual practice, an everyday habit, a way of life.
—Trevor Hudson, Pauses for Lent: 40 Words for 40 Days (Upper Room Books, 2015)
Today’s Question
How can you practice listening today? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry.
—James 1:19 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Our Father, who is in heaven, give me the bread I need today.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
How do we stay centered in the midst of fears, grief, and stress? Here are some resources to help you keep—or create—spiritual wellness and wholeness in the midst of anxiety and stress.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
8 Comments
I can practice listening today by giving my full attention to whomever drops by my “office hours” on-line. My students are really bored. They don’t seem scared, but – rather inconvenienced. And very disappointed – especially my seniors. They fear the school year is over, there will be no prom, no graduation. And my athletes, thespians, musicians, artists – they have lost their “canvas”…their outlet – their space for their unique joy. This waiting…with an indefinite time line…is impacting them…all of us. So – I will strive to listen well, to question well, to care well.
Yesterday was a beautiful day and I was able to get outside after my “office hours” ended at 3. Dad came over and we walked. A week or so ago, he decided he would not feel comfortable golfing. But – after the beauty of yesterday, and seeing golfers out at courses as he drove to my house, he is re-thinking it. He really needs a change in scenery from the walls of his condo and our hour walks together. My office hours are over at 1:30 today – and I think we may hit the links. Really – it seems that golf is the only sport out there which can be done safely with others. Today and tomorrow are to be fairly mild before cooling down again, so we might need to take advantage.
Wonderful to spend an hour or so last night with my small group on-line. There were seven of us and it was good to see smiling faces, and hear how each is coping with the current situation.
God, hear the cries of Your people, and have mercy on us.
Have my son at home so there is that opportunity, there will be a ZOOM breakfast with the pastor on Friday. All day every day, even before the coronavirus, there has been “silent listening” as we read the messages of others. We are very much in listening mode. Surely can understand student boredom, frustration. The are more tech oriented than most of us, hope they make full use of their imagination.
Yes, golf seems a safe way to get out and still stay distanced.
My prayers for everyone, we are all affected in some way by this pandemic. The Lord will bring us through. Thank You, Lord
Listening is part of my everyday job as a psychologist. Many need a listening ear right now and I feel it is my calling to be available to do that. My schedule was heavy yesterday as I had 11 people that I “saw” via telehealth. I am so thankful to still be able to connect with all of my people. Today is a lighter day so I can connect more with my family and freinds – I have several coffee FaceTimes planned with friends and I am thankful for this as well. Many complain of boredom during this time – I’m not one to ever feel bored – there is so much still to do and experience even with in the confines of our homes as we shelter in. I did take my daughter to the lake yesterday because it was such a beautiful day- we took a break and walked around the lake staying clear of the many others that were out.
I pray for peace and comfort for all during this time. God is near – we must trust in his love and mercy. Prayers for you all today.
Listening is part of my everyday job as a psychologist. Many need a listening ear right now and I feel it is my calling to be available to do that. My schedule was heavy yesterday as I had 11 people that I “saw” via telehealth. I am so thankful to still be able to connect with all of my people. Today is a lighter day so I can connect more with my family and freinds – I have several coffee FaceTimes planned with friends and I am thankful for this as well. Many complain of boredom during this time – I’m not one to ever feel bored – there is so much still to do and experience even with in the confines of our homes as we shelter in. I did take my daughter to the lake yesterday because it was such a beautiful day- we took a break and walked around the lake staying clear of the many others that were out.
I pray for peace and comfort for all during this time. God is near – we must trust in his love and mercy. Prayers for you all today.
This is a time, for me, of fighting being distracted by the news, of fighting to keep my attention on the things that feed my soul and the things that make life seem normal. Yesterday, I only looked at our local news a couple times on the internet. I worked on finishing a quilt for my niece, which I will deliver to her before shelter-in-place goes into effect Friday midnight. I also worked on getting a Zoom meeting scheduled for my bookclub.
I am thankful for the pastor at my church, who has a 24/7 phone line with devotions. God bless her, she has even left her mobile phone number on it. I pray she will not burn out.
I pray for dear UR friends here, and I think of the regulars who used to post on Daily Reflections. I miss their unique voices and I pray they are staying well during this crisis.
I woke up this morning, like recent mornings, and almost immediately “pandemic” comes to mind. I resolve to counter that immediately with my Lectio Divina passage or another verse from scripture.
Wishing all a blessed day, with prayers that you and your loved ones will stay healthy and safe.
I have been practicing listening to God. I am spending time deeply breathing in peace and expelling with the words faith or hope. This is calming and helps me connect with and listen to God.
Prayers for Jill, Larry and her students. I know of many schools locally that have already cancelled much of the cherished rites of passage for seniors. My heart aches for them.
Prayers for Andrea for herindustiousness during this time spent at home. May she be an example for others.
Prayers for Lou and her children as they continue to enjoy the lovely spring weather and nature.
Prayers for Robert as he listens to Erich, may Erich also listen to him.
Prayers for April, BJ, and Rick, may they and their loved ones stay safe and healthy.
Prayers and thank you UR
I am listening to the passages I read and of course, my UR family everyday. I then reflect on them during the day and look for meaning so that I can respond. I recent request came to join 1 million others in stopping to pray for the coronavirus and then ask 8 others to do the same. Some texted back that they were good with praying but not reaching out to others and others replied “absolutely”….I replied that every prayer is heard, not to worry. I am so glad that we ask for prayers here and also for our family and friends.
May each of us listen well today. The people of the world want to tell their story, not necessarily looking for our answer….but we can be their answer as we listen….and what joy I have in knowing that I have helped them. Stay safe.
I timed myself humming this chorus. It takes about 30 seconds. It reminds me that God is always near and provides. Blessings to all.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
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