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Welcome to the Upper Room #LIV
15 years ago
General
Welcoming the Weak
Read 2 Corinthians 12:6-10
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions.
-Romans 14:1 (NRSV)
BECAUSE I have fibromyalgia, I tend to think of the term weak as referring to physical struggles. Some days, my hands tremble as I attempt to open jars; my muscles ache when I try to write or brush my hair; and fatigue hangs over my day like a heavy, winter sky. When I'm feeling especially weak, I cling to friends and family who won't tell me that I'm not trying hard enough or become impatient because I'm not as strong as they are. They know I need to feel loved and accepted. And in spite of my slow, wobbly efforts, I still have ways I can share my love with them. I still feel as if I belong.
When I feel weak in spirit, I need acceptance even more than at other times. All of us go through times when our grip on faith is not as tight as we'd like it to be. Yet, we still have a place in God's family. Instead of condemning us in our weakness, God welcomes us and leads us to welcome others.
Bethany F. Brengan (Kentucky, USA)
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for welcoming us and using us even when we are weak. Help us not to judge others but to extend your love to those who are weak in faith. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Those around us need welcome more than they need judgment.
Prayer Focus
Those living with chronic illness
Read 2 Corinthians 12:6-10
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions.
-Romans 14:1 (NRSV)
BECAUSE I have fibromyalgia, I tend to think of the term weak as referring to physical struggles. Some days, my hands tremble as I attempt to open jars; my muscles ache when I try to write or brush my hair; and fatigue hangs over my day like a heavy, winter sky. When I'm feeling especially weak, I cling to friends and family who won't tell me that I'm not trying hard enough or become impatient because I'm not as strong as they are. They know I need to feel loved and accepted. And in spite of my slow, wobbly efforts, I still have ways I can share my love with them. I still feel as if I belong.
When I feel weak in spirit, I need acceptance even more than at other times. All of us go through times when our grip on faith is not as tight as we'd like it to be. Yet, we still have a place in God's family. Instead of condemning us in our weakness, God welcomes us and leads us to welcome others.
Bethany F. Brengan (Kentucky, USA)
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for welcoming us and using us even when we are weak. Help us not to judge others but to extend your love to those who are weak in faith. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Those around us need welcome more than they need judgment.
Prayer Focus
Those living with chronic illness
Bardawolf
~timid-wolf
Amen
