Close your eyes, breathe, and clear your mind. Be still. Center your scattered senses on God’s presence.
REFLECTION: Written by Larkie Cook
This praying mantis on our gratitude rock (see picture below) reminded Jim and me of how grateful we are for our health, a loving family, and a loving God. Even during these trying times, we consider ourselves thankful to be living in such a beautiful location with perfect weather and with support from wonderful friends from our church and community.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 138:1-3
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.
Pause and meditate on the Scripture.
PRAYER: Written by Richard John Neuhaus (1936-2009), a Christian cleric and writer.
Liberate us, we pray you, Lord, from the getting and grasping to which we are prone. Teach us the royal way of the law of the gift, that in giving not only things but ourselves we may know even now the life abundant you promise to bring to perfection in eternal life with you. Increase in us gratitude for your gift of yourself, and let that gift of gratitude inspire us to the greatness of living our lives as love in in response to love.
Click on the link to see and hear the music video.
MUSIC VIDEO: Celtic Women: Joy to the World
IMAGE: Photo submitted by Larkie Cook
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