X

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

MY LIFE IS A LIBRARY filled with books that no one reads anymore –
books of adventure and romance, advice and how-tos.
The books gather dust because no one wants to learn from them.
O Lord, once they were popular volumes, tattered from wear,
but now no one cares about my life lessons.
As I’ve grown older, people have less interest in what I have to say or what I think.
I have stumbled along my journey,
but I can look back across the years with wise eyes.
If they were willing, younger folks could learn from my mistakes,
my follies, my successes.
I have gained knowledge with every experience –
knowledge of broken hearts and unfulfilled dreams,
knowledge of surviving financial woes and raising rebellious teens,
knowledge of eternal truths and the lies of the world.
If only they would ask, I would tell them.
What older person might you learn lessons from? Spend time with an elderly person today. Call them, or see if you can visit in person. Listen as they share their stories. You might gain some wisdom.

– Missy Buchanan
Voices of Aging

From page 25 of Voices of Aging: Adult Children and Adult Parents Talk with God by Missy Buchanan. Copyright © 2015 by Missy Buchanan. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What older person might you learn lessons from? Spend time with an elderly person today. Call them, or see if you can visit in person. Listen as they share their stories. You might gain some wisdom. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
Psalm 111:10, NRSV

This Week: Pray for world leaders. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.

This week we remember: Agnus (January 21).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

13 Comments

  • Jill Posted January 24, 2018 2:54 am

    My dad loves to recall events and stories and takes great pleasure in telling them, with all the specifics. I catch myself growing impatient, or saying to myself – I have heard this story before. I quickly remind myself how fortunate I am, my family is – that his memory is so sharp – and I let him tell the story afresh.
    A sports show that I listen to has a joke about who is the “worst guy”…and one of the candidates is the golfer who re-tells every stroke/shot of his round. I always laugh to myself…this is my dad. He recalls each shot, what club he used, how far away he was, the length of the putt. Again – most people don’t want to hear this…my mother has no patience for this. But – after catching myself – I let him go on about it – because how great is it that he has this type of recall into his 80s? I could never go back over each shot, hole by hole, for 18 holes. I am lucky, at the end of a hole, to remember how many strokes I took and put in on the scorecard. How I hope dad and I can return to the golf course this summer to make more memories.
    Prayers for Marcy – she has been noticeably absent these past few days.
    Father, gather us to You. Watch over us and lead us this day and always.

  • robert moeller Posted January 24, 2018 5:09 am

    People my age have been described as “young” old people. This reflection describes me. I tend to go on getting to the point where I answer a person’s question. Unlike Jill’s dad I don’t remember every detail. Methods used to find a job have changed since I last had to do that, some of what I know no longer applies. Yes, I still think I can be helpful, but to some being old is seen as a disability.

    Prayers for Marcy, she’s home, but I don’t know what help she has. God most certainly is with her, that is reassuring. Her faith is deep.

    Not so many posts here yesterday, prayers for all based on what I know from your sharing. This is a precious site and gathering. Thank you all for the ministry you accomplish here.

    Thankful for yesterday, car maintenance done, groceries purchased, good meals, income tax prep underway, and a workout at the gym done.

    Blessings to all of you, may God’s wisdom come to you, and God’s peace be with you.

    • Julie Posted January 24, 2018 8:05 am

      Robert, I value your wisdom and have learned and grown in faith so much from your posts. We all should be so dedicated to God, family and friends. You are a true treasure and I humby thank you for sharing with those of us in need of spiritual and life guidance.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted January 24, 2018 6:25 am

    My elderly patents have taught me many precious lessons. My dad is selfless and sacrificial. This time he was hospitalised because he was trying to catch my mum from falling. In the end, he broke his hip. My mum is diligent and prayerful.

    Thank you God for the elderly people you have placed in our lives for by their examples, we can learn many precious lessons

    Blessings

  • Betsy Posted January 24, 2018 7:03 am

    My heart is grieving today as there was another school shooting yesterday morning. It took place near my former town where I taught for many years. The shooter was a young man of 15, and 19 young people were shot, two fatally. Please pray for the families of the victims, the family of this young man and the staff and teachers at this high school. There lives will be forever changed by what occurred at their workplace. I pray for th end ofschool violence and wisdom for lawmakers and first responders on how to handle these tragic events.

    • robert moeller Posted January 25, 2018 1:02 pm

      This is very sad news no matter where or when it happens. It becomes even more touching, personal when it affects people, towns, areas you know. My heart goes out to you Betsy and to all involved. There are a lot of people who need help and and not getting it. Yes, may God’s wisdom come to those who have the power to put in place methods to reduce, end this violent behavior.
      There’s nothing positive about it.

  • Julie Posted January 24, 2018 7:58 am

    I echo Betsy’s sorrow, concern and prayers regarding schools and gun violence.
    Even as a child I sought out the elderly and spent time with them. One elderly neighbor taught me to crochet, another made homemade rootbeer and I spent more time with my grandparents than in my own home. Consequently, I have many warm and loving memories of my grandparents. I am thankful for these.
    Blessings and prayers for each one of you

  • Trackback: Wisdom – College United Methodist Church
  • Julie Posted January 24, 2018 2:55 pm

    Daughter in ER
    Please pray

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted January 25, 2018 6:46 pm

      Julie, keeping your daughter in prayer

      May God bless her with a speedy recovery

  • Trackback: A Creed Inspired by the Beatitudes
  • Trackback: A Creed Inspired by the Beatitudes – College United Methodist Church
  • robert moeller Posted January 25, 2018 1:07 pm

    Thank you Julie, but any wisdom ascribed to me, is not my own doing. God is way wiser.

    Prayers for your daughter in the ER. Please let us know how she is doing that our prayers may be more focused. Any time a family member is in the ER I am always concerned. There are times when I feel helpless, but praying to God is the best activity always.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *