Day 37– New every morning
Morning prayer
Start you day with this prayer
Symbol: Shoe
Prayer
Lord, we have been aware for weeks that our freedom of movement has been restricted, and that we can only leave our homes for essential things and under the strictest regulations. Help us to remember that a restriction on physical movement does not mean a restriction of our discipleship. Show us how and where we can still wander in the Gospel – the Good News for all people.
We pray for each essential worker during this time, and for each person who has the opportunity to work. We pray for each individual and each family who has been affected by income loss and have lost their jobs. We pray for everyone who feels uncertain and is scared about what the future has in store.
We pray for president Cyril Ramaphosa, for all ministers and government leaders who need to show the way in this time. May You give them strength to work under tremendous pressure and still make informed and good decisions. Bless their families and loved ones who are supporting them.
Thank You for remembering us. Thank You for continuing to support and encourage us. Thank You for creating hope in a time of chaos and uncertainty.
Amen.
Reflection
Read this reflection on the text for the day.
Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness – Lamentations 3:21-23.
Lamentations is a book filled to the brim with complaints. It was written shortly after a few exiles returned to the ruins of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This book records the returning exiles’ shock and disgust over the destruction and hopelessness that awaited them in Jerusalem.
God’s discontent over Jerusalem’s transgressions are described regularly in Lamentations. In desperation He pushed away his once beloved city and left it in the dark. The writer of Lamentations knows that conversion and returning to God is the only way to repair the bridge back to back (3:39-42). Meanwhile, while he describes the pain of his people, light finally breaks through in 3:21-38.
In spite of the humiliation and abuse that the people of Jerusalem endured, they still have not withered away. This is all thanks to the love of God. This is why the writer continues to hope, because amidst all of the injustice in this world God’s love remains visible. God’s love never ends.
God sees when his children bow before Him and confess their sins (3:29). God always sees broken hearts. Lamentations 3:21-23 is heavenly music amidst horrible circumstances. It means only one thing: God is singing again for his suffering children. As He sang when He created, He sings again while renewing them. God gives them ointments. He dries their tears with healing words. God’s commitment is new every day. He begins each day anew. Also on a spiritual level. God makes everything new every day.
Heavenly Father, help me to see your rays of light amidst the darkness. Thank You for renewing me each day and that there is no end to Your love. Amen.
Liturgy for life
See the ordinary things you do in and around the house as signs of God’s care.
This week: Clean your cupboards!
Why? Firstly it is a sign of gratitude for the abundance that you have received. Secondly, to share from your abundance with other people during this time. And lastly, to realize that you can simplify your life. As Elizabeth Ann Seton said: “Live simply so that others may simply live.”
How? Start with your wardrobe. Look at all the items you have and choose 10 usable items that you still use, but don’t use as often or don’t really need. Donate it to charity. When you are finished going through your wardrobe, look at your other cupboards. Are there any everyday items that you can give away, things that may not be affordable to others in this time? In our community we’re going to sell all these items for R20. Something has more worth when you contribute towards it. We want to make it as affordable as possible.
What do we want to achieve? We want to help people to receive good, useful items at an affordable donation, while we journey to a deeper self-realisation of how blessed we are. We want to include the broader community by working with other churches, businesses, and the local government.
Have a look at this video, and organize your cupboards this week:
Children’s activity
Play with your children.
Wow! 21 Days of isolation. 21 Days in which we’re only allowed to be in our homes (or gardens) and can only go out for the most essential things like food and medicine. It can be a little rough! All the things we usually do during the day, like school, sport, church … are not happening anymore. It can really confuse you and maybe even bore you a little. These daily readings will help you to spend some time with Jesus every day in a creative and fun way. You can do these readings and activities by yourself, with your siblings, or with your entire family. Ask one of the grownups to post your activity on Facebook so that others can enjoy it with you. Tag it with #solitudecalendar #churchtogether
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People like measuring things. Sometimes they want to know how long or how tall something is, and other times they want to know how long something will last. Sometimes we like to pick things that are the biggest, like that slice of chocolate cake. Other times we prefer the smaller option, like when we need to do chores in our homes. We measure things all day long, even though we may not realise it.
The one thing that we never have to measure is God’s loves for us. God loves us unconditionally. His love for us will never fail, no matter what we do.
– What does the word unconditional mean?
– How would you explain to someone that God loves them unconditionally?
Activity
Find some things that you can measure objects with, like a ruler, a measuring tape, a watch or a cup that measures millilitres. Measure a few things, like the feet of the people living with you in the house, or how much milk you pour over your cereal, or how long you can hold your breath. What else can you measure? God’s loves is bigger and more and stronger than all of these things together. His love will endure forever.
Picture this
Look at this week’s illustration. What stands out to you? Talk to the people in your home or with your friends on WhatsApp about the illustration.
– Take note of the things you see, but also of the things that aren’t present in the picture that you would like to add. What are those things?
– How does this illustration connect with today’s Scripture, and how not?
– Create your own interpretation of the illustration through any medium: dance, photography, videography, music, poetry, drawing, painting or short stories.
Record it and share it with us on social media with the hashtag #countdowndoodles
