from You’re Here for a Reason by Nancy Tilllman
“You’re here for a reason, you certainly are. The world would be different without you, by far.
If not for your hands and your eyes and your feet, the world, like a puzzle, would be incomplete. Even the smallest of things that you do blossom and multiply far beyond you.” . . .
“You’re here for a reason. If you think you’re not, I would just say that perhaps you forgot – a piece of the world that is precious and dear would surely be missing if you weren’t here.
If not for your smile and your laugh and your heart, this place we call home would be minus a part.
Thank goodness you’re here! Thank goodness times two! I just can’t imagine a world without you.
You are loved.”
Responsive Reading for Sunday, October 1
“LORD,…you know me…you understand my thoughts from afar. My travels and my rest you mark; with all my ways you are familiar…. Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me. Such knowledge is beyond me, far too lofty for me to reach…. If I fly with the wings of dawn and alight beyond the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand hold me fast …. You formed my inmost being…. So wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works. My very self you knew…” (Psalm 139:1-14).
“You’re here for a reason, you certainly are. The world would be different without you, by far. If not for your hands and your eyes and your feet, the world, like a puzzle, would be incomplete. Even the smallest of things that you do blossom and multiply far beyond you.”
“At dawn let me hear of your kindness, for in you I trust. Show me the path I should walk, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me, LORD … for in you I hope. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your kind spirit guide me on ground that is level …. For your name’s sake, LORD, give me life; in your justice, lead me out of distress . . . in your kindness” (Psalm 143:8-12).
“A kindness, for instance, may triple for days… or set things in motion in different ways. It travels much further than you’ll ever know… under the tree tops… over the snow…. Till it’s wandered… And fluttered…. And floated…and twirled – making things happen all over the world. You’re here for a reason. It’s totally true. You’re part of a world that is counting on you. So don’t be too worried if some days fall flat. Good things can happen, even from that.”
“The LORD is a stronghold . . . in times of trouble” (Psalms 9:10). “You are my rock and fortress; for your name’s sake lead and guide me . . . . Into your hands I commend my spirit; . . you will not abandon me . . but will set my feet in a free and open space . . . . Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD” (Psalm 31:4-25).
“Life can be tricky, there isn’t a doubt. You’ll skin your knees trying to figure it out. But it works together, the good and the bad, the silly and awful, and happy and sad, to paint a big picture we can’t always see…a picture that needs YOU, most definitely. Remember that next time a day goes all wrong…. To somebody else, you will always be strong. And that ball that you lose or that kite you let go could make someone’s day– you just never know!”
“How precious to me are your designs, O God; how vast the sum of them! Were I to count, they would outnumber the sands; to finish, I would need eternity. . . . God, know my heart . . . then lead me . . .” (Psalm 139: 17-24).
“You’re here for a reason. If you think you’re not, I would just say that perhaps you forgot – a piece of the world that is precious and dear would surely be missing if you weren’t here. If not for your smile and your laugh and your heart, this place we call home would be minus a part. Thank goodness you’re here! Thank goodness times two! I just can’t imagine a world without you. You are loved.”