Today’s Reflection
You have scattered surprises throughout my days, God. I need only to open my eyes and ears. Then I will notice the tangerine sun as it melts into the horizon. I will hear the sweet song of the caregiver who hums while she makes the bed. Help me to discover more surprises today, and teach me to accept them with a grateful heart.
—Missy Buchanan, Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms (Upper Room Books, 2010)
Today’s Question
To whom could you offer a surprising gift of God’s grace? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
Come and see what our God has done,
what awesome miracles he performs for people!
—Psalm 66:5 (NLT)
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
In my prayers this morning I was asking God to make known to me someone with a specific need, in which I could assist. Primarily I was thinking financially, but it may just be a listening ear and/or presence. In the reading above – I think of April and her time outdoors, working in His creation and sharing time with others. It may be as simple as that…singing along in merriment and having another person hear the melody and possibly strike up a conversation. Father, may we walk in tune with You, ready to move where Your Spirit leads.
I was to walk with my colleague/friend yesterday, the one who is in cancer treatment. I received a text from her that she had called EMS and been taken to emergency with an extremely high heart rate. She was admitted and will have a stress test today.
Yesterday was a very poor day for me GI wise. I also am noticing my throat not feeling quite right. I finished my antibiotics this past Wednesday. If this is going to be an ongoing pattern, I am doubting that I will be able to stay on this treatment. It is discouraging. It is so very easy for me to take for granted feeling well and being able to do the activities which I enjoy so much. Dad and I are golfing later this morning and then my sister and her husband are coming over to his place to celebrate my sister’s birthday. I am hoping my stomach behaves itself.
Prayers for safe travel, strength and a wonderful visit for Ally and David. May Julie enjoy the peace of h’s absence and be able to put as many safeguards in place as possible prior to his return. Prayers of gratitude for Chai’s continued presence. Prayers for Marcy, her PT and pain tolerance and for Roxy.
I am in constant contact with someone who surely needs, but rejects, God as nonsense. It is my constant prayer, wish, hope that repentance will one day come and peace may enter this person’s heart.
May the right medication be found for Jill’s GI problem. May Ally and David both be strengthened by the Lord. May the help Marcy needs be supplied. I think too of all the UR family that I have meet here and lift up your hopes, concerns, thanksgivings, and joys.
Twice in the past week or so I have watched a drama where a mother loses her child, then while expected the birth of a second child dies of liver cancer. Only a movie, you say, but I took it very hard. Few similarities to the passing of my wife except the woman was Korean. It reminded me of the love people have for one another and how deep it is. Thank You, Lord, that Soo Ok was here with me for as long as she was. Thank You, too, that memory is possible.
Our 14th ZOOM worship service this morning, our church building is closed, but the church lives on.
Thank You, Lord.
Is the giving os God’s grace more than just giving something we have? Perhaps the giving of grace begins by trying to understand another, truly understand them. May we enter their world, expeerience their pain or joy or sorrow or oppresion. May we seek to understand as well as we may another’s hopes, dreams and inner turmoils.
Prayers for Jill and her struggles with her health. A difficult choice indeed, to continue new meds and suffer GI issues or stop and suffer from hand pain and stiffness. May you and you doctor find a third choice.
Prayers for Robert and his “person” who does not wish to know the Lord, may God’s love prevail.
Prayers for Marcy and Lucy Lou, may both find relief from pain and afflictions and may they comfort one another.
Prayers for April that she remain healthy despite her gardener’s positive test result. May he recovery quickly and completely.
Prayers for Ally and David, may they gain strength amongst family and find healing for their souls among their love.
Prayers, thank you and good health dear UR one and all
I can offer Gods Grace right here at home as I seek to support and love and be understanding to my child who struggles daily with issues of anxiety and depression – I agree with Julie – really trying to understand and be with one another in love is great work to be done in the name of Jesus. To love like Jesus everyday- I try but I need much work.
A nice evening spent with my son and his girlfriend and my youngest – sharing a great meal outdoors last night. I thank God that they come over weekly now that it is summer and we can be together at a distance outside. After they left my youngest was so happy- it does us good to have them here as we have been isolated in trying to follow the rules. My youngest wants to go back to school in New York in August and we are trying to work through the reality of doing that. I pray for the Lord to guide her and me during this time.
So many household repair issues this week- the torrential rain we have had has not helped – I have to admit I asked God – why??? during the week- more than once….
Continued prayers for Jill and her health struggles, for Robert and his family, for Julie and her fears, for Ally as worries surround her, for Marcy and her health concerns, for April, BJ, Rick, Andrea, Connie and all of those who pray to you Lord for strength and guidance and peace. Thank You for your constant assurance that we are loved by You.
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