Today’s Reflection
WHO HAS BEEN perfectly loved by those who raised us? Our disappointments in how we were loved, and the wounds we bear as a result, invite our trust in the deeper love of God in whom we have our being. We respond to God’s gift of love by learning to better love ourselves and one another. We also respond by recognizing how love is being extended to us and by letting that incoming love nourish us.
—Susan Carol Scott
Still Praying After All These Years: Meditations for Later Life
From page 37 of Still Praying After All These Years: Meditations for Later Life by Susan Carol Scott. Copyright © 2019 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Whose love helped you go from being nothing to becoming cherished by someone? How have you played a similar role for others? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.—1 Corinthians 13:1-2, NRSV
Prayer for the Week
Sustainer of all that is, give me faith that hopes in what I can and cannot see. Thank you for giving me life and for the small miracles that find me each day. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Something More
Learn more about Face to Face, an adaptation of The Walk to Emmaus crafted to meet the needs and life-stages of older adults.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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5 Comments
People who helped me include all those who helped me discover the identity and character of my birthparents and especially those living who supported me and continue to do so. By sharing my story I hope people learn more and experience God’s love.
I have no one currently in my life that fits this description. My first husband made me feel this way. When my daughter was young, she also had that type of love for me.
Good report from ultrasound yesterday. The mammo tech must have not been doing it for long as she constantly apologized. I enjoyed talking with the ultrasound tech.
Prayers for Andrea, may she accomplish all tasks prior to her houseguests arrival. But I am reminded of the Bible story of Mary and Martha. So I also pray for Andrea to realize that her guests visit to see her, not her home.
Prayers for Betsy as she continues to accomplish each task for moving closer to Harrison.
Prayers for Connie and her caring way with her garden and her hummers.
Prayers for Jill and Larry as they continue to focus on their relationship together.
Prayers for Lou and her children, may they enjoy another visit soon.
Prayers for Mary, so generous in all she does.
Prayers for Marcy and her health issues.
Prayers for Robert and Erich, may Erich find success in their new home town.
Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you one and all here at the UR
My parents’ and friends’ love have helped and taught me to love others like my students, neighbors, church and UR friends, family, etc.
May we reflect God’s love every day of our lives!
Blessings!
Prayers for Andrea. May God bless her and be her source of strength and ever present help to accomplish all that she needs to do!
I was perfectly loved in my childhood and I never take that for granted. I thank God every day. I wanted that for my children also and did all that I could.
Of course there was love and and support from my parents. Looking back there was some religious support, we went regularly to church, I was in Sunday school and conformation class. As a child I was not so aware of a deep faith in my parents, although I now recognize that. Its transfer to me is hard to describe. I think my faith journey was a long slow gradual one. It dropped off when I was in college, restarted in the army, dropped off again after army service. Marriage and life with two children restarted it. One of the mountain tops came after my wife passed away and I had very powerful one on one sessions as a member of a new church. Twice I felt what I believe was the presence of God. – the two highest mountain tops. Since then God has helped me though some times that were tough for me and has brought to the home where I now live. Through all of this there were people, but the One who helped me the most and knows me the best is God. Thank You, Lord!
I’m now in a church where many of the activities I have wanted to do are possible. It’s all inclusive and discussions will begin soon on where we are going in the UMC. From a Bible study before the Special Conference at my previous church I came to believe that some of the passages most quoted on human sexuality have not been correctly understood. The message of LOVE abounds in the New Testament and that means love your neighbor as yourself. I pray that God provides the wisdom needed to resolve this issue.
Thank you Julie, progress is being made. It may be small and slow at the moment, but it is on its way. Moving, getting settled, the HEAT WAVE, and resolving skin problems have been obstacles, but there is a way forward.
Prayers for you and Megan. God grant you a positive, wholesome, healthy way forward that meets both of your needs.
Yes, Lord. I echo Julie’s prayers for the UR family she names, those whose names are unknown, and for the needs and concerns of Your people, the whole world.
Thank You, Lord!
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