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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.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

 

Today’s Reflection

In the 1980s, the Swedish gerontologist Lars Tornstam developeda theory of aging called gerotranscendence. In a study that took more than twenty years, Tornstam interviewed many older people in Sweden, ages sixty-five through 104.

Tornstam found that many of the older people he interviewed had a decreased interest in material things and preferred solitude. They were less self-occupied, while also being more selective about their social activities, and they felt they needed only a few friends. … Also, those who were gerotranscendent believed in a mystery about the universe, and even death had a different meaning for them.

—Richard L. Morgan, Light of Setting Suns: Reflecting on Realities and Mysteries at Ninety Years of Life (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

What older persons do you know who transcend their age, and how do they do it? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

The glory of the young is their strength;
the gray hair of experience is the splendor of
the old.
—Proverbs 20:29, NLT

Prayer for the Week

Lord of all ages, I feel blessed that you have given me these
bonus years. Help me to live each day as if it were my last,
redeeming whatever time remains. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Find out how author Richard L. Morgan has stayed resilient into his 90s despite the many losses that accompany later life. Read more about him here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

5 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted March 18, 2021 6:16 am

    I may know people who transcend their age, I don’t know how they do it, I’m hopeful this post will be seen after the message I had from the UR yesterday. While my posts disappeared for a while, I saw and read yours, prayed for you, and thanked you for your prayers. I’ll be delighted to be back. Thank You, Lord.

    s

  • robert moeller Posted March 18, 2021 6:20 am

    For the first time in a while, my post appears! it’s a wonderful feeling. Most definitely, THANK YOU, LORD!

  • Julie Posted March 18, 2021 8:44 am

    Will this post???? My first one did not.

  • Lou Posted March 18, 2021 2:43 pm

    Robert ! You are back ! So happy to see you here today- thank goodness it was tech difficulties and that you are ok- many were concerned about your absence- I missed your faithful and insightful posts- as did many here.
    Welcome back-
    Prayers for all on Midwest day that started out so “raw” and rainy and is now sunny and bright- thanks be to God.

  • Jill Posted March 18, 2021 6:12 pm

    My dad definitely is the one. My sister’s husband took dad golfing today – so I called my sister after school and was able to talk with her. She thinks he is doing well. She told me is has upped his sit up regimen to 1000 a day. Yep – my 87 year old father – 1000 sit ups per day. He has settled into a routine down there. My sister laughs about it to me. He sets his alarm and gets up each day at 7:00 AM. He fixes his breakfast and lunch – even though Becky would love to do it for him. He does things his way, at his pace.
    Yes, Lou, the rawness hit here. I was able to get in a quick run this morning – was getting rained on by the end. After school it was raining sideways. I had thought about picking up a pizza on the way home – but just came straight home and got under a blanket – which immediately attracted Roger.
    One more day and I will have a week under my belt. Today went much better than Tuesday and am looking forward to a smooth day tomorrow.
    Hopefully the kinks will continue to get worked out – and our little community here will be back in touch, encouraging and inspiring each other.

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