Pathways Press.com

MEDITATION:

Written by Renee Andrews, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from the book “Mornings with Jesus.”

My family has a Labor Day tradition. The entire gang gathers at my parents’ home on the river for jet-skiing, swimming, good food… and homemade ice cream. My mother makes the best homemade ice cream. This Labor Day we were waiting for the ice cream, but the ice-cream maker just kept spinning. Then my dad remembered that he accidentally tossed the tiny part in the bottom out. That one little part ended up being important, and without it, the ice cream took much longer to get firm. Like that tiny part in the ice-cream maker, each part of Christ’s body is important to the livelihood of Christ’s church. We may not feel like our tiny part matters, but in the entire scheme of things, we could be the reason the church doesn’t stand firm. He needs our part. For me, I sometimes feel I don’t offer anything overly impressive to the growth of the Kingdom. I can speak, but I’m sure not great at it. I can sing, but it’s nothing to write home about. And it took me years before I gathered the courage to pray out loud. But I do have a few things I can do and enjoy doing. I can write and share God’s message with my readers. I can teach the preschoolers at church and help start their growth in the Lord. I can do my part servicing the nursery so new moms can fully enjoy the sermon. I can be willing to attribute my good mood to my good Lord whenever asked why I seem particularly happy. I can also let others know that God will see me through when I’m having hard times.

PRAYER:

Written by Lisa Heffernan, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from her prayer “Belonging to the Body of Christ.”

God of all people, we thank you for the gifts you give each one of us to serve in the name of Jesus Christ. Help us to care for and love one another, especially those whom we may view as lesser than ourselves. Help us to see each other’s minds, bodies, and hearts as beautiful in their own ways, as we seek to create a church without barriers of any kind. May we see one another as your beloved children, each needed to participate in your mission of love and justice in our world. Amen.