Long before we were born, we already had been seen, known, loved, and held safe in God’s hands. We were bound together in God’s heart long before we met each other here and now. Long before we could say to each other, “I need you, I love you, hold me, touch me, care for me,” there was a Voice that said: “You are my beloved, on you my favor rests.” Long before we learned to care for each other, we were cared for by our Creator: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?” declares the Lord. “Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands: your frame [i.e., body] is ever before me” (Isa. 49:16). — Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit
Reflection Question: What does it mean to you to know that you were loved before you were born, before genetics or family systems or privilege or trauma had any influence on you?
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” – Isaiah 49: 15, 16
“Leaning into our intuition through the vision of dreams and looking for signs and symbols in nature means that when we look beneath the surface of life, instead of just skating across and taking everything at face value, we have faith that there is the love of thousands shimmering right there.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Virtual Celtic Pilgrimage: The Wisdom of Irish Saints Kevin, Ita, and Enda — An Online, Self-Study Retreat The live sessions were recorded over the feast of Samhain (Oct 31 – Nov 8 ) but can be watched at any time you want to connect with Ireland, Celtic spirituality and your ancestors.
When has your intuition connected you with the love of thousands?
Verse of the day
She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
– Matthew 1:21
Voice of the day
The church is the bearer of a message to all nations: that in Jesus Christ God has acted decisively for the salvation of the world.
– Lesslie Newbigin
Prayer of the day
God, thank you for bringing hope, healing, and salvation into the world. Help us share your love with others through our words, our actions, and the way we stand up for those in need. Amen.
Verse of the day
So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
– Matthew 6:34
Voice of the day
My anxiety did not dissipate. Instead, God met me repeatedly in its very presence.
– Sara Billups
Prayer of the day
God, help us to trust you with what we cannot see and find peace in the things we cannot control. Remind us to take each day as it comes, do our best, and leave tomorrow in your hands. Amen.
A powerful reflection from my seminary classmate and dear friend, Shirley!
“Woe betide those who lie in bed planning evil and wicked deeds, and rise at daybreak to do them, knowing that they have the power to do evil!”Micah 2:1 REB Micah has seen the corruption of Israel’s leaders, and exploitation of the powerless. He has watched lives being uprooted by greedy, callous people who hatched
Micah – The Unwelcome Voice of Truth
Verse of the day
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
– Ephesians 4:32
Voice of the day
Our attitude toward God becomes thanksgiving. Our understanding of ourselves becomes humility. Our response to our brothers and sisters is from the posture of servanthood: we incarnate and convey to them God’s mercy.
– Clarence Jordan
Prayer of the day
Gracious God, help us to lead with kindness, approach one another with humility, and extend the same mercy and forgiveness that you have shown us. May our gratitude for your love be reflected in the way we care for others, especially those who need it most. Amen.
Verse of the day
O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night.
– Nehemiah 1:5-6
Voice of the day
God’s people are led forward by promises. It is promises, with all their daring and risk, that empower the hearts of people.
– Richard Rohr
Prayer of the day
Faithful God, help us trust in your promises even when we cannot see how they will unfold. May we respond to your steadfast love by showing up for one another, keeping our commitments, and bringing a little more justice, hope, and compassion into the world. Amen.
Verse of the day
Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart, for consider what great things he has done for you.
– 1 Samuel 12:24
Voice of the day
I recognize that faith is always a risk. No matter what we believe, there’s always a chance we might be wrong. But the story of Jesus is just the story I’m willing to risk being wrong about.
– Rachel Held Evans
Prayer of the day
Faithful God, help us to trust you even when the path ahead is uncertain, and to serve you with open hearts, remembering the goodness you have brought into our lives. May our faith be more than what we believe, may it be a risk we are willing to take and a love we are willing to give, even when we do not have all the answers. Amen.
God is Spirit and the Source of all love. Our spiritual journey calls us to seek and find this living God of Love in prayer, worship, spiritual reading, spiritual mentoring, compassionate service to the poor, and good friends. Let us claim the truth that we are loved and open our hearts to receive God’s overflowing love poured out for us. And living fully each day let us share that love in all our wonderful and difficult relationships, responsibilities, and passages. — Finding My Way Home: Pathways to Life and the Spirit
Reflection Question: Out of this list, prayer, worship, spiritual reading, spiritual mentoring, compassionate service to the poor, and good friends, which one might you need to invest more intentional time and engagement?
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. – Psalm 84: 2
“The opportunity to begin again is present in each transition we make throughout the day when we start or end each activity. . . The middle of the workday can be an especially rich time to do this as a way to cultivate a loving awareness in all that we do.”
—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, Breath Prayer: An Ancient Practice for the Everyday Sacred
What practices help you move through the transitions of the day with presence and loving awareness?
To register for the self-study companion retreat to the book with extra resources and guidance click here.
