The Upper Room Devotion for Thursday, April 18, 2024, was written by Rebekah L. Callen of Texas.
Scripture
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's creation: 15 “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.’ You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. 20 Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. 21To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 3:14-21 NRSV
Author's Thoughts
I always had the duty of dropping our kids off at daycare. Which is more emotionally difficult than my husband's duty of picking them up. My children didn't like being left, and many mornings were filled with tears. It also didn't help that our daycare was across town from where I worked, so I was inevitably always in a rush.
One morning, I was hurrying out of the daycare to my car, when something caught my eye. In a window facing the parking lot stood my two-year-old son waving excitedly at me. It was a sweet gesture and just what I needed. I told everyone at work how sweet my son was.
The next morning, when dropping my son off, I mentioned to the teacher how my son had made me smile the day before. She kindly told me that he does that every morning and had been doing so for months. My heart sank. I never missed his wave after that.
This experience made me wonder how many times I have missed signs of God's love because I was too rushed to notice. Praise the Lord, we are loved by a God who is patient and whose love never ends.
Pastor Anthony's Thoughts
Friends,
I invite you to reread Rebekah’s reflection, accepting the challenge to slow down and take notice of the ways God will wave at you today.
Author's Prayer
Dear God, forgive us when we don't notice all the ways you love us. Thank you for patiently waiting on us and for loving us unconditionally. Amen.