Today’s Reflection
NO ONE GETS TO THE FAR SIDE of life without experiencing profound loss. Family members and friends die. Health crises come. Unwanted change arrives unannounced. At times it seems that too much has been unfairly snatched from your life.
God understands. God has felt the warm tears when you have mourned, has been moved by what moved you. God understands the emotional and physical exhaustion that comes with loss.
God doesn’t turn away from your sorrow. God knows the grief of leaving a home where you created memories. God shares the pain of watching your independence slip away. God understands the sadness in watching friends move away and wondering if you will ever see them again. …
Aging brings change. Some events, like the death of a loved one, cannot be undone. But your attitude and how you choose to live out your days can be changed. Write down ways that you can make positive change in your life. Maybe you could improve your diet or engage in more mental activity. Perhaps you could increase your prayer time. Then ask for God’s help to carry out these changes. Check your list regularly and hold yourself accountable.
- Missy Buchanan
Aging Faithfully
From pages 16-17 of Aging Faithfully: 28 Days of Prayer by Missy Buchanan. Copyright © 2011 by Missy Buchanan. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
How can you make a positive change in your life? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
2 Samuel 1:19, NRSV
This Week: pray for a spirit of generosity. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section below.
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This week we remember Irenaeus (June 28).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
A day late, a dollar short.
Robert, if you believe, as Jesus promised, that the Holy Spirit dwells within, does this make self-live any easier? It is tending to the God that dwells within.
If you need a model– how about Jesus? In John 17 he models prayer– and begins with himself. One cannot serve when one’s own tank is empty. And one must care for self because other humans are undependable.
In Genesis God calls upon humanity to care for all Creation. Are you not part of God’s perfect Creation? Of course you are.
If a hobby allows a person to heal, to find peace and self-acceptance, it is a good and healthful endeavour. Do not deprive yourself and become part of the (spiritually) impoverished.
Thank you Heidi, you’re not late and not a dollar short. You make very good points.
A big decision, possibility lies before me, I need God’s wisdom and careful thought to make it. It would be a big change. Several people would be involved.
Lord help me to be generous in as many ways as I can.
Making positive change, for me, would include simply being more aware, of surroundings, of habits, and being aware of how my gut us responding.
Make Sunday worship and Sunday school a higher priority not just something I do when I have the time.
My positive change can be to be more socially envolved.
Dear Jesus,
Make me to be a vessel overflowing with your Holy Spirit to touch others how they need to know your love.