The Fine Art of Upbuilding

 

...and all for your upbuilding,

                       beloved.

            2 Corinthians 12. 19

(Am I approaching this person

        or situation

as an inconvenience or burden?

Or as an opportunity

           to build up,

           to edify,

    to nurture their souls?

We never know what lies

     below the surface

     of their circumstances.

What can we do to serve, yield,

  or sacrifice for the blessing

     and growth of another?

May we see them as beloved

          as Jesus does.

And respond to them that way.)

O LORD,

Please help us to master

   the fine art of upbuilding,

to sense and see needs

    even invisible ones,

and do something about it.

Empower us to come alongside

     for the well-being of others,

be it with encouraging words

   or an unexpected act

   of kindness and grace.

Nudge us, if necessary.

Enlarge our love

  for those beloved by You

that You have put

          on our paths today.