Ordinary Time

Pause

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; / naught be all else to me, save that thou art– / thou my best thought by day or by night, / waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

from "Be Thou My Vision," ancient Irish poem, translated by Mary Byrne (1905)

 

Listen

I thank my God always for you, because of God’s grace that was given to you in Christ Jesus. That is, you were made rich through him in everything: in all your communication and every kind of knowledge, in the same way that the testimony about Christ was confirmed with you. The result is that you aren’t missing any spiritual gift while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also confirm your testimony about Christ until the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and you were called by him to partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:4-9

Think

It was not long ago this season that I hunkered down watching Christmas movies on repeat. One of my favorites I watch every year for its dance routines and music is White Christmas. The song “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” never made it big, as far as I know. However, it reminds me of the importance of naming the good things that are happening in my life instead of getting stuck in worry.

In Paul’s opening to the letter to the church at Corinth, Paul remembers to thank God for them. Paul counts the blessings the Corinthians provide to him and praises God for them.

Who are the people, groups, and organizations that need to know you count them as blessings? How can you praise God by sharing the good that is going on in your life?

Sarah Karber

Pray

Bountiful God, let me count my blessings and share them with one and all as praise to you and the work you do in my life. Please help me to find the areas of good, even when things seem very challenging. Amen.

Go

Speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts.

Ephesians 5:19