Today’s Reflection
A note from the author: “Celtic Christians acknowledged God’s presence in every aspect of living—from waking to sleeping, from birth to death, from mundane chores to momentous celebrations. They perceived God’s creation as a holy gift. Gratitude characterized their way of being as they affirmed the source of life and gave thanks through blessings.” (p 12)
FOR A HOME
Bless this house, its windows, its rooms.
May those who live here
Know happiness and safety.
Bless this house, its roof, its doors.
May all who enter here
Be welcomed with generous hospitality.
Bless this house, its hearth, its heart.
May light and love
Live in this place.
—Beth A. Richardson
Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings
A Celtic blessing from page 67 of Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings by Beth A. Richardson. Copyright © 2016 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Ask for God’s blessing for the place where you are at this moment. What Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
—Joshua 24:15b, NRSV
Prayer for the Week
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.
(From a prayer attributed to Saint Patrick) Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Something more
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Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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12 Comments
At the present moment I am not in my own home, I am visiting a family member in a different time zone. It is a wonderful space away from the usual and maybe that is why I am so aware of real things, like the Holy Spirit being present, Jesus walking beside me, God watching over me. I am being renewed and pray God’s blessing in this space as I read Beth’s words.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for walking with me every day. May I acknowledge the miracles you pour out upon me at just the right place and time.
Please be with my UR family today. Hold them close and give them a wink to assure them that you are ever present and have their deepest needs/desires in mind as the day begins. Yes, “This is the Day that the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be Glad in it!!”
Beautiful April – thank you and God bless you in your time away.
April, I am also away from my physical home this week. My grandson is sick and can not attend his daycare, and my daughter in law is out of town on business, so I’m helping out this week. My son is also suffering from a sinus infection, so I’m in full on “Mommy mode”!
This devotional today is perfect. I pray for God’s blessings to cover this home and the new family in it. Bless those who walk through the door and keep them all safe and in your loving arms, Lord. Thank you also for the opportunity to be able to help them out when illness strikes. I am truly blessed.
Prayers for all my UR family also; may He place a hedge of protection around your homes and keep you safe. Amen
Betsy, may your grandson have a speedy recovery and may God grant you strength and wisdom in taking care of Harrison!
Blessings!
The place where we are at this moment could be a physical place or a mental place – God bless us all wherever we are. I pray especially for Robert as he moves physical homes – I moved one year ago and that was quite a physical and emotional undertaking. I pray all goes smoothly for you and your son Robert.
I pray for everyone here at the UR- may God bless and keep you. I am thankful for a return home and a wonderful trip with any complications- God truly answered my prayers for safe travels – we covered a lot of ground and saw many beautiful sights. And I am thankful to be back home and to get back into my routines and work.
God bless you all today and everyday.
Yes, I’m thankful for where I live at the moment, it’s making the move to a better place possible. Have seen many of God’s creatures while living here: bear, beaver, otter, mink, and deer.
Talked with my daughter and will skype tonight.
Had a pleasant surprise yesterday evening. Signed the last paperwork needed for the closing on the condo. Also will work with a railroad historical society member and be able to pick up missing issues of the society’s journal.
It’s my last day at the hospital heart maintenance gym, and will visit someone in a nursing home.
A busy day ahead. Prayers for all of you, read Marcy’s post, always glad to hear from her. Blessings and God’s peace.
Thank you Lou, so far so good as we prepare for the move. Prayers for Betsy and her grandson, Harrison, I assume. May Kelsie have a safe trip. Yes, April your post is heartwarming. Thank You, Lord.
April, your words are beautiful and soothing. Yes, Lou, our mental state is as much a place we inhabit as our physical space. I am currently concerned for my physical space due to some roof issues. I will need to call the roofers and fight h in order to get the new roof. H does not want to have any work done to the house.
Prayers for Betsy, her son and Harrison, may son and gradson recover soon. Prayers for safe travel for Betsy and her daughter in law.
Prayers for Andrea and Lowell and their daughter, may she pass her test.
Prayers for Connie, may her health improve.
Prayers for Jill and Larry and safe travel.
Prayers for Lou and thankful for her safe and successful trip.
Prayers for Mary and her family, may she be blessed.
Prayers for Marcy, may her health improve with her new care and prayers of gratitude for Mary and her help.
Prayers for Robert and Erich. May the move go well and with no mishaps and may they find success in the new city.
Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you dear UR family
Thanks Julie!
May you, your family and your home be blessed abundantly!
Lord, bless my Home Sweet Home. Amen
Glad to hear Lou had a wonderful trip…so good to travel, makes coming home more sweet. Our traveling days are over, but I vicariously enjoy the travels of others who share.
Julie, keep up the “good” fight. . . 100% support >>>>>YOU.
Bless my yard Dear Lord, it brings me much happiness. I asked God to help with the Japanese Beetles that were invading my new Crape Myrtles. I have been battling them for 4 days. I was removing them environmentally because I have a lot of birds in my back yard and a Blue Bird box with eggs. A cold front blew in over night and this morning they are all gone. Praise God!
Bless this UR Reflections Chapel; that’s where I am this moment. Bless all who come together to pray for one another, Love one another and care for one another. I Love the UR Reflections Chapel, where God is present each day, all are welcome and no one requesting prayer is left wanting. What a blessing this place is. Thank You, Lord!
Praying for Betsy and little Harrison, my caring sister Julie, Andrea and Lowell, Jill, Lou, Connie, sweet sister Mary, Robert, Erich and Robert’s daughter and his grandchildren and all the UR Reflections family. April, thank you for a beautiful post. Hello to Karen Bernhard. And thank you, my siblings and friends for your prayers.
And these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE! You know I’m sending Love to you all!
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