Today’s Reflection
Being present involves letting go of our constant preoccupations, immersing ourselves in the here and now, and giving ourselves wholeheartedly to whatever is at hand. . . . It’s about becoming more aware, alert, awake to the fullness of the immediate moment. If we are with another person, it means engaging with him or her with all of our heart, our mind, our soul, and our strength. Such wholehearted attention requires patience, time, and disciplined effort. And it is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to those around us.
—Trevor Hudson, A Mile in My Shoes: Cultivating Compassion (Upper Room Books, 2005)
Today’s Question
Who needs you to be fully present for them? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!
—Psalm 29:10-11 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Early registration for our virtual event RESILIENCE | Practicing Compassion in a World of Conflict is ending on August 1st. For just $99, you can join us on September 29-30 as we explore the transformative power of compassion in a world marked by division. Learn more here.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments
Tomorrow I am having lunch with two ladies from church. We are providing one another with caregiver support. I will need to be fully present then for them both.
Today is my mother’s birthday and Megan and I visited her over the weekend.
I need to be present for my daughter and three granddaughters when they visit. I exercised the gift of presence this weekend with them during our family reunion, was wonderful.
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