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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

I AM REMINDED of how quickly life can change. Life can go from brilliant to brutal in the blink of an eye: devastating diagnosis, the death of a loved one, a dreadful accident. As I pull a beach towel over my head to shelter myself from the rain that has begun to fall, I glance up to see a line of birds on the rooftop of a nearby cottage, facing the wind. I remember what someone once told me: Birds often face the wind during a storm to reduce their resistance to it. Once safety inside my cottage, I begin to wonder. Am I faithful enough to face my own mortality? Am I courageous enough to stare squarely into the uncertainty of my later years—the physical challenges, the loss of loved ones, the diminished independence? After the storm passes, I step outside to take in the splendor of a rainbow and the heavenly scent that follows the rain. The chirping birds soar above the ocean and a grin begins to stretch across my face.

—Missy Buchanan
Beach Calling: A Devotional Journal for the Middle Years and Beyond

From pages 46-47 of Beach Calling by Missy Buchanan. Copyright © 2019 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

On the dark and rainy days, what makes you smile, truly smile?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
—1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV

Prayer for the Week

Like the waves of the ocean rolling onto the sand, may God’s glorious grace rush in to my heart and soul again and again. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Happy 4th of July!
Celebrate Independence Day by celebrating our troops: Give to The Upper Room Chaplains’ Ministry.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Sponsored by The Upper Room. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

9 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted July 3, 2019 6:42 am

    At 72, and with an actuarial projection that I’ll live to 90, roughly 18 years are left by human measurement. Only God truly knows the number of years I have and what quality of life I will experience. Thankful I am healthy at the moment and able to do things. My Dad was active till the day he passed away at 88. Mom lived longer but her later years were tough as she dealt with Alzheimer’s. I know I am at higher risk of having Alzheimer’s, but even this higher risk is no guarantee I will have it. Thankful I am in a comfortable place in a convenient town, a so far so good church, and have people I am in touch with. The Lord is with me always and understands me better than anyone. Thank You, Lord.

    Getting settled and back to a routine I enjoy. Thank you all dear UR Family for your prayers and concern. I hope to respond more personally to you over the next few days. Happy 4th of July to Americans and God’s peace be with all of you. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted July 3, 2019 7:50 am

    My daughter and my kitties make me truly smile, any day or time of day.
    Prayers for Robert and may he remain in good health as did his father.
    Prayers for Andrea, may her life changes improve her health.
    Prayers for Betsy, may her move be quick and uneventful.
    Prayers for Connie, may her health improve and her family celebrate.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry and their sharing and healing talks.
    Prayers for Lou and her children, for safe travel and good togetherness.
    Prayers for Mary and her family, for abundance, blessings and joy.
    Prayers for Marcy, for less pain and better breathing.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you dear UR family, may your fourth be safe and full of family and love and good food

  • Sandy Posted July 3, 2019 8:00 am

    Gratitude. I am so grateful to have all of my senses at this stage of the game. I have tinnitus and a degenerative eye disease, but my abilities at this moment make me so grateful that I can still see and hear the beauty of the earth and feel the joy in my heart. What the future holds is uncertain, but the joy of life lived and loving and being loved will always be in my heart. Thank you, God.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 3, 2019 8:04 am

    Thanks Julie!

    Music, movie or a good book with a cup of tea make me smile on dark and rainy days.

    Great to hear that you like your new place, Robert!

    Blessings!

  • Connie Posted July 3, 2019 8:27 am

    Thoughts of my children always make me smile. Their love for me is pure as is my love for them.
    Fourth of July tomorrow….Big Bang!
    Thankful that high winds and rain went around our little neighborhood. Other areas of the city were hit hard.
    God Bless America. Land That I Love.

  • Lori Ball Posted July 3, 2019 9:26 am

    Lord help me to unconditionally love others as you do.

  • Jill Posted July 3, 2019 10:43 am

    My little Roger cat lifts my spirits right up, when needed. He was a wonderful presence when I would come home from those long days of school and then over to mom’s several months back. I know the days were long and lonely for him, but he always snuggled right up with me in bed each evening. He knew life was hard and he just hung close.
    Thinking of my god children brings a quick smile too. I am so grateful to be included in family birthday gatherings – and I just like to sit back and watch them play with their friends, laughing, being loud, loving life.
    Golfed again this morning with dad. Grateful for this time we have together. He seems to be adjusting a little better, week by week. We will be with my sister tomorrow.
    Keeping an eye on the sky here – storms are forecast. I would like to get in a bike ride, but don’t want to get caught in a storm. We had some pretty intense ones last evening.
    May God meet each of you in your place of need, surrounding you with His matchless love.

  • Frank Posted July 3, 2019 11:17 am

    1 Peter 1:3-4 TPT
    [3] Celebrate with praises the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has shown us his extravagant mercy. For his fountain of mercy has given us a new life-we are reborn to experience a living, energetic hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. [4] We are reborn into a perfect inheritance that can never perish, never be defiled, and never diminish. It is promised and preserved forever in the heavenly realm for you!

  • Sandra Chingarava Posted July 3, 2019 4:59 pm

    Knowing that God is with me

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