Today’s Reflection
Down the hall are people I have heard but never met. I suppose they’re just sitting in their rooms too. O God, is it true that you have a special place in your heart for old folks like us? Come to this room where I grapple with this hard season of life. Come grapple with me.
—Missy Buchanan, Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms (Upper Room Books, 2010)
Today’s Question
Can you trust that God is with you as you grapple with life’s hard seasons? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who watch over my way.
—Psalm 142:3a (NIV)
Prayer for the Week
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. —adapt. Reinhold Niebuhr, “The Serenity Prayer”
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
In these days we are called to give special and focused attention to being antiracist. This is the work of discipleship and spiritual formation. Click here for a growing list of resources for the spiritual work of overcoming racism.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
4 Comments
Good morning New Very Morning family! Today I will respond with a song that answers today’s question the best I can.
O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee
1 O Master, let me walk with Thee
in lowly paths of service free;
tell me Thy secret; help me bear
the strain of toil, the fret of care.
2 Help me the slow of heart to move
by some clear, winning word of love;
teach me the wayward feet to stay,
and guide them in the homeward way.
3 Teach me Thy patience, still with Thee
in closer, dearer company,
in work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
in trust that triumphs over wrong.
4 In hope that sends a shining ray
far down the future’s broad’ning way;
in peace that only Thou canst give,
with Thee, O Master, let me live.
Washington Gladden
Will be back a bit later, friends!
I know in my head that I can trust God. Trusting God even when my spirit was weak is how I got through these last few months. I look at what the Lord has brought David and me through: his ex trying to drain us dry, her repeated attempts to have him sent to jail over child support when he was paying half his monthly income toward it, our health issues, David’s sorrow over his estrangement with his oldest daughter, my mama’s passing, COVID, and my lay-off. Just as God brought us through all of those things, sending miracles such as David’s amazing recovery and his reconciliation with his daughter, I know God will be faithful through this trial, which I know will bring blessings.
Marcy, thank you for the hymn. It is a favorite. Praying all of our little family have a great day.
I trust in my head, but as yet not truly in my heart and soul. I do so long to feel this as I need to feel God’s strength and help now. H continues to refuse to wear a mask and social distance in the house when he returns from Myrtle Beach. But God sent me evidence of his care for me. A local show I watch has a tech segment several day each week. Yesterday they highlighted an air purigier that is approved for use in healthcare settings to fight the spread of the coronavirous! I puchased two! They were quite expensive and I bought h a box of masks that cost only several dollars, but he keeps throwing them back at me. No, I do not throw them at him.
Thank you< Marcy, for the lovely hymn. It was enlightening. I pray you and Lucy Lou each continue to heal.
Prayers for Ally and David, may they continue to heal from COVID 19. You have both been through so much this year, may God give you a quick resolution to your job issue.
Prayers for Robert and his family and friends. May their love transcend the miles and hold and strengthen each one.
Prayers for April and her gardener, may his test come back negative. If it is positive, Lord, please keep April healthy as she was distanced and outside, therefore abiding by medical advice. April, I pray you stay well.
Prayers for Jill and may her biopsy by negatve and may she continue to be healthy.
Prayers, thank you and stay healthy dear UR one and all.
It was later in life that I came to acknowledge God, accept help with several , for me, big problems, and thus continue my journey. Have visited people in health care before the virus and probably will do so again once that is possible. Not everyone can avoid nursing homes. Lots of love, compassion, and very good care are needed.
Still nice weather, need rain, some dark clouds showing up, but not drops yet.
More progress on the two GE 70 ton diesels being modeled for the St. Johnsbury & Lake Champlain Railroad aka The StJ&LC or St.J. for short. The combine is progressing too as grab irons, hand rails, and other details are added.
Prayers for every country with the virus, thankful that sound medical advice that works has been both given and heeded. Thus we have areas and even countries that have done well. This pandemic is teaching us to pay close attention, do what works, and be patient. In some respects it is like listening to God, reading the Bible, and doing what God asks. It boils down to these words from another great hymn, “Trust and Obey.”
Safety in all its forms, peace, good health, reconciliation, justice, and equality for everyone are on my prayer list. Give thanks with a grateful heart for the blessings you receive. Thank You, Lord.
Add Comment