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Grace Andrews of Independence, MO USA
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. -Psalm 85:7-8
The high school class was shocked when a substitute arrived and explained that their teacher’s husband had suddenly died over the weekend. With great sadness they carried on with their studies through the following week. She was a beloved teacher and they missed her good teaching. They wondered how she would manage without her husband.
She returned, a little less enthusiastic, but glad to see each one and wanting to enrich their lives. She moved by rote, more or less, throughout the day. Then she suddenly said, “Class, close your books. I want to share something important with you. I have faith that each of us is put here on earth to learn, to love, to appreciate life and give what we can of ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end. It may be taken away in a moment. It is my fondest wish that all of you will make the most out of every single day. Promise me this: Today, and every day, notice some little thing you’ve never seen before. It could be light coming through the trees, or a child learning to ride a bicycle for the first time. It could be a rainbow in the sky, or birds flying in perfect formation. Cherish these things-they are the ‘stuff’ of life that God has put here on Earth for us to enjoy.” She gave wise counsel to her class.
God’s beauty is all around and God’s promises are sure. I once knew a man who boasted that he had collected a great deal of money during his lifetime by picking up stray coins on the ground. But he totally missed God’s free and abundant blessings by not looking up. May we each day see with our eyes God’s special blessings and store them in our hearts. We can worry and fret over our world situation, or we can be uplifted by seeing life’s many beautiful things. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the little things that take our breath away” (Vicki Corona, “Tahitian Choreographies,” 1989).
Prayer Phrase
We are one in Christ.
Spiritual Practice
Week Three: Co-Creating the Future with God
Journal/Reflect
World Conference is an invitation to co-create the future with God as we discern where the Spirit is leading on a variety of topics that have impact for the church and the world. An important part of discernment is releasing our own agendas to become more available to God’s bigger vision. Gently notice what you are carrying into this experience that the Spirit may be inviting you to release. Notice also where you feel the life-giving Spirit opening up new possibilities and ways of seeing that you are invited to embrace.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
