07-31-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
July 31, 2021
Scripture: Colossians 1:3-5a
In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.

Thought for the Day: During my Sabbatical, I have been making a conscious effort to give thanks for little things. It is one thing to notice them and something very different to pause and give thanks. I’m early in this little experiment, but the intentional pause and word of gratitude (even if it is just in my head) often changes my perception of the moment. Before, I thought I was being grateful when in fact it was more of a “that’s nice.” Gratitude view something as a gift, a true unmerited gift. For instance, a few days ago I watched a little girl laugh with complete disregard for how she might be perceived. It was delightful and life-giving to see her so tickled. Suddenly, she was more than a laughing girl, but this momentary gift of life and delight that I took the time to receive. I walked away from that moment smiling as the sound of her laughter continued to echo inside my head.

Prayer: Encourage me, Gracious God, to look around and see the multitude of gifts for which I should be grateful. Allow for the generosity of joy and life and beauty to spill over me and change me. Amen.

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