3rd. August. 2022. Daily Devotions.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3.
It had been an extremely difficult time. My husband’s salary had been cut in half due to the company’s financial decline and we had just built a new home with a high mortgage. We almost immediately put the house on the market, and I started finding odd jobs where I would be able to take my pre-schooler. I was working four part-time jobs, taking care of my five children, and keeping my house clean for realtor showings.
This went on for three years. The stress of scraping together money to pay our mortgage was futile as we still could not cover all the insurmountable bills accumulating. Many times, we did not even have money to buy groceries. Between the hours of work and the stress my body became worn and weary. I ended up in the hospital, very sick, with double pneumonia.
I remember convalescing at home and on Sunday morning was watching a minister on television who quoted Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Oh, how I needed that scripture. I was so weary. I was so weak. I cried. I looked out the window and there in the sky was a hawk circling so effortlessly free. God spoke to my heart to let me know that eventually all would be well. I needed to hand it over to Him and quit trying so hard to tread water in this quicksand of debt. God lead me beside those still waters and He did restore my soul. I quit two of the jobs and the house finally sold.
The Lord gave me the rest that I so badly needed at that time. He healed me physically, mentally, and spiritually as I felt a renewed sense of hope and purpose. It took many years to come out of that debt, but I knew God would take care of me and my family. ~ Jenny Calvert
Dearest Shepherd, Thank you for leading this lamb to a place of quiet restoration. Help those who are in debt. Amen.
Be a bright flame before us, O God, a guiding star above us, a smooth path below us and a loving shepherd behind us, each day and each night, now and for ever. Amen. Columba of Iona (521-597)
Eternal God, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.”
We pray for a fresh vision of the life of heaven that renews our passion to see your kingdom here on earth. May we be captivated anew by heaven’s breath-taking beauty: beauty revealed in glorious worship; worship flowing from a great multitude; a multitude united in celebration of rich diversity; a diversity that embraces all nations, tribes, people, and tongues. And so then may our lives re-shape this world. In the name of Christ. Amen.
God of love, we pray you give us love: love in our thinking, love in our speaking, love in our doing and love in the hidden places of our souls; love of our neighbours, near and far; love of our friends old and new; love of those with whom we find it hard to bear, and love of those who find it hard to bear with us; love of those with whom we work, and love of those with whom we take our ease; love in joy, love in sorrow, love in life and love in death, so that at length we may dwell with you, who are Eternal Love. Amen. May God be your comfort and your strength, your hope and your support, today and every day. Amen. Prayer from Canterbury Cathedral