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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

WHY DO ADULTS tend to lose their sense of childlike wonder over the years? When did I decide that bending over and searching the sand for a piece of frosted sea glass was too much trouble? Why am I not exploring the sand with my feet, as if investigating the surface of the moon? Today I intend to reclaim the wonder of childhood. I will get up from my beach chair and step out of my comfort zone, asking God to restore my sense of wonder. I will hold seashells in my hands and study the intricacy of each one. I will throw out misconceptions that tell me that maturing years are dreary and monotonous. Wonder is that divine spark that awakens my curiosity and deepens my awareness of God.

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

From page 52 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

What childhood wonder do you wish was still prominent in your life?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done.
—Psalm 105:4-5, 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

6 Comments

  • Lou Posted July 4, 2019 6:06 am

    Trust and security. Growing up I was blessed to be in a household and family where I was very loved – I never had to question that. It was such a secure and wonderful feeling – I trust in the Lord but I don’t trust in much in this earthly life. I used to be a positive and relatively easy going person- I don’t feel like I am now. Maybe with time I will recapture those things.
    Blessings to all on this Independence Day- looking forward to being with my children.
    Connie- I hope you have gotten the grill out and that your husband enjoys the burgers! Praying that all will enjoy relaxation time today.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 4, 2019 6:10 am

      May God heal and restore you dear Lou!

      My parents’ love and faith.

      Blessings!

    • Connie Posted July 5, 2019 8:40 am

      I got the grill out and it didn’t light. It is OLD. I would like to get a new one, but my husband wants to work on this one…..don’t know how that will work out!

  • Jill Posted July 4, 2019 6:10 am

    I don’t know that I have ever had “wonder” be a noticeable part of my life. As I child I loved to read. And I was never impacted by cold temperatures. As I think back to my childhood, these are things I wish hadn’t changed. I still love to read, but don’t seem to have the time, at least not during the school year. Maybe it is that I don’t make the time. It seems after a day at school – I am too mentally (and physically) tired to enjoy reading.
    Maybe part of wonder – is enjoying nature? I certainly have gained an appreciation of this. I used to go to the beach as a child – but certainly never appreciated the grandeur, the power, yet serenity of the seashore. Now – I soak it in. And – I love my flower gardens. As a child – I dreaded the chore of watering the flowers. Now – it is a labor of love and often a time of deep thinking.
    I got my bike ride in yesterday afternoon – very enjoyable.
    I would ask for prayer for a friend, as well as myself. This friend – a new friend who came and walked along beside me with my mom’s ordeal – is going through quite an ordeal herself, with her teenage daughter. At times I feel as though my counsel is not fully legit as I have not parented. But – I am asking God for wisdom and discernment – and trying to be very present when she needs me.
    Grateful for the freedoms we have in our great country.

  • Julie Posted July 4, 2019 8:08 am

    I don’t remember ever feeling wonder at any time of my life. I grew up poor and unloved by my parents. My maternal grandparents love and faithfulness sustained me. I enjoyed time out of doors and was always able to find friends in all of the neighborhoods in which we lived. I had friends my own age and friends who were elderly. Looking back now I am experienciing wonder that I was so open to these individuals and they were so receptive to a child.
    Prayers for Lou and her children, may they have a warm family celebration.
    Prayers for Marcy, may she share today with a loved one.
    Prayers for Mary and her family, for abundance, blessings, and joy.
    Prayers for Jill and her friend, may they both heed God’s guidance. May her friend receive God’s faithfulness in dealing with her daughter and may Jill support her friend with kind words.
    Prayers for Connie and her family, may they enjoy a time of celebration.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich, may they have new friends to celebrate with. Prayers of thanks to Robert for his service to our country which contributed to our current freedom to celebrate and worship as we wish.
    Megan and I will go to a local park to picnic and enjoy the summer day.
    Prayers and blessings one and all on this day when we celebrate our many freedoms, not least of which is freedom of religious worship.

  • Sharon Smith Posted July 4, 2019 7:57 pm

    The wonderment of dreams coming true. Why should we give up on dreaming as we age?

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