Devotions
Pastor R. Michael Sanders
Thanks for Today
“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NRSV
November 11, 2019
It was the first great day of spring about ten years ago.
My church was only three blocks away and I was enjoying the walk. As I rounded the corner, I saw Mister Green walking down the hill. To see him walking at the advanced stage of his cancer surprised me.
“Great day for a walk!” I called.
“Yes!” he shouted back, And I might not get another!”
Mister Green’s condition gave him that sensitivity to the moment we often lack.
I did see him out more times before he passed, and I’ve never forgotten that moment or his words. The next time we feel we have nothing to be thankful for, let’s just check our pulse! Then let us purpose to enjoy the day to the fullest.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for today.
© Copyright 2019 R. Michael Sanders
The Wind and the Leaves
“The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down." Psalm 145.14 NRSV
September 30, 2019
The tree at the end of our street, aided by the wind, had dropped the first bundle of colored leaves to the ground last week.
It was a colorful reminder of why we call the season fall.
Do the leaves struggle to hold onto the branch? Or were they ready to fly, even for only a moment, in that glorious descent?
As for me, when I have fallen, there have been no glorious moments. I am not a leaf and falling always left a mark. If the scar on my right hand, I regretted my foolishness. If the scar was my heart when I failed to live the life my Lord would have for me, I felt the pain of guilt.
But even when I fell, God was with me. And so were my friends, and my church family. I hope you have friends and a church as caring as I do.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for always covering us with grace when we fall.
© Copyright R. Michael Sanders 2019
Pastor R. Michael Sanders
Thanks for Today
“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 NRSV
November 11, 2019
It was the first great day of spring about ten years ago.
My church was only three blocks away and I was enjoying the walk. As I rounded the corner, I saw Mister Green walking down the hill. To see him walking at the advanced stage of his cancer surprised me.
“Great day for a walk!” I called.
“Yes!” he shouted back, And I might not get another!”
Mister Green’s condition gave him that sensitivity to the moment we often lack.
I did see him out more times before he passed, and I’ve never forgotten that moment or his words. The next time we feel we have nothing to be thankful for, let’s just check our pulse! Then let us purpose to enjoy the day to the fullest.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for today.
© Copyright 2019 R. Michael Sanders
The Wind and the Leaves
“The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down." Psalm 145.14 NRSV
September 30, 2019
The tree at the end of our street, aided by the wind, had dropped the first bundle of colored leaves to the ground last week.
It was a colorful reminder of why we call the season fall.
Do the leaves struggle to hold onto the branch? Or were they ready to fly, even for only a moment, in that glorious descent?
As for me, when I have fallen, there have been no glorious moments. I am not a leaf and falling always left a mark. If the scar on my right hand, I regretted my foolishness. If the scar was my heart when I failed to live the life my Lord would have for me, I felt the pain of guilt.
But even when I fell, God was with me. And so were my friends, and my church family. I hope you have friends and a church as caring as I do.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for always covering us with grace when we fall.
© Copyright R. Michael Sanders 2019