Tuesday, March 5, 2024  

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Today's Hymn
“Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us”

We are yours: in love befriend us;
be the guardian of our way.
Keep your flock: from sin defend us;
seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear your children when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear your children when we pray.

by Dorothy Ann Thrupp
Hymn 187, Glory to God
verse 2

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Reflection

Sometimes I find it frustrating that relationships take two. I like to be in control, and it can be hard for me when other people don’t do what I want or expect them to — especially when it comes to my three-year-old. Sometimes my relationship with him feels really one-sided. Like all three-year-olds, he hasn’t grasped the concept of empathy; he’s still figuring out that other people need and want things too.

Fortunately, relationships with adults in my life are two-sided. Sometimes that’s frustrating, but sometimes that’s really comforting. For as much as I like to be in control, it’s such a relief to know that if things get heated with a colleague or if I have a disagreement with a family member, I’m not the only one who will want to reconcile later. We both care about the relationship, so we’ll both work to repair it.

My relationship with God is that way too. When I find myself feeling far from God because of something I did (or didn’t do) or because of something that happened (or didn’t happen), I have faith that our relationship can be restored. It can be hard to find my way back, but I know that God will seek me when I go astray so I don’t have to do it alone.

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Prayer
I am yours, let your love surround me,
hold me tight both night and day.
God, in your loving arms I will be
protected while I find my way.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear your children when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear your children when we pray.
Amen.

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Written by Nicole Spirgen, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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