More From Kim Koratsky

I have been reading The Upper Room for a very long time.  Prior to the time when everyone had smart phones or computers (Yes, young folks, that was a real point in time.) I started with the paper version. Years ago, I started looking at the Daily Devotional on my phone as part of my morning study time. While I occasionally glanced at the comments, I primarily just read the devotion page. Last July, when my first devotion was published, that all changed. That day, I read each of the comments because these folks were talking to me! I discovered that the people making comments were all prayer warriors and, moreover, they are like a family. As a matter of fact, I frequently see “URF” in a comment which is an acronym for “Upper Room Family.”

Now I really look forward to reading the comments so that, as Paul Harvey used to say, I hear the rest of the story. How God is working in people’s lives, how God is answering prayers, and how people are connecting with each other through praying for each other. I followed Beth_of_Saucier when she and her husband traveled to another state to offer help after a hurricane. I look forward to Saturday when we hear what Friday movie night was like for Cherie_of_the_North’s family. Christmastime was made special hearing about how ellismm2017 was decorating her home with Christmas cards and requesting everyone send her one so she could break last year’s record. We hear about the weather in Italy from Georgine,_Arqua_Petrarca,_Italy.  Marsha_Z_Bangs_TX posts song lyrics that complement that day’s devotion. And there is what is called Sarah’s List, posted by Sarah_from_Berwyn,_IL, who goes through all the prayer requests each day, then posts a listing of the concerns. What a shame I have a word limit as there are so many more to mention.

This past January when I asked, members lifted up prayers when my uncle went into hospice. And again, later in the month, when I went in for a heart procedure. They also celebrated earlier this month when I posted that my wife and I were blessed with our first grandbaby. Essentially, I stumbled into a really big small group. If you have never read the comments, I highly recommend it as it will bless your day, while giving you some things to think and pray about.

As I explained in today’s devotion, writing for me is cathartic. It gives me a chance to take my study up a notch. Drafting a devotion, whether it is just for me or gets published for others to read, is a chance to go deeper in God’s word and spend time with God, and that always makes my heart happy! I get the sense that, for many who regularly write comments, the same goes for them.

I pray that everyone reading these words has a great day, that your prayers are answered, and that, as Numbers 6:24-26 says, “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace” (NIV).