Dedicated Servanthood
Martha Owaga of Mombasa, Kenya
Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s shalom, invites all people to come and receive divine peace in the midst of the difficult questions and struggles of life. Follow Christ in the way that leads to God’s peace and discover the blessings of all of the dimensions of salvation. -Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a
The Daily Bread story on February 22, 2020, “Love Came to the Mailbox” by Ila June Brunner, was a beautiful story which reminded me of an elderly lady whose desire was that the steps leading to the church hall be shorter for her to be able to get into church. The lady was very prayerful and had opened up her home to church visitors. She would spend hours each afternoon calling on the name of the Lord God on behalf of the church members. She would get on her knees and spend the entire afternoon that way. Those who knew her routine would schedule their visits in the mornings or late afternoon so as not to interrupt her prayer time.
Eventually, her knees became painful, and getting to the church hall became a challenge. We had to open the front door of the church, which had shorter stairs for her to use. Her visits to the church hall became less frequent as age took its toll. When she went to be with the Lord, her children and grandchildren bought an aisle carpet for the congregation. The carpet wore out, but pieces can still be seen as doormats at the church entrance.
Whenever I got an opportunity share with her, she told me of her desire to have a beautiful worship area. Today after I read the story by Ila June Brunner, my mind went back to the beautiful old lady. It is many years since she rested, and none of her family fellowships with us, but her dream for a beautiful church lives on. I do not remember how the beautiful lady came to join the church, but I know that she had something to give to the church, not only her open home and prayers, but her dream.
Prayer Phrase
In God we all belong.
Spiritual Practice
Sustaining Our Connections
Many find themselves isolated around the world to protect each other and the most vulnerable during this global pandemic. Spend time prayerfully imagining those people that you might normally come into contact with on a regular basis, known and unknown. Remember all the connections that sustain our lives each day. Even in this time of intentional separation, how are you experiencing deep, intrinsic belonging in God?
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.
