Monday, April 30, 2012

A Monday Prayer from Psalm 42




Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?

Why? The waves of change and paperwork and milestones and appointments breaking over me have overwhelmed. It's a lot to take in, Lord, even though so much of it is good, and I'm not sure where even to begin. The intense emotions of goodbyes and hellos, aging and growing, wounding and healing, have caught me off guard and knocked me off balance.


Deep calls to deep at the roar of Your waterfalls;
all Your breakers and Your waves have gone over me.

Your breakers, Your waves. I'm still off balance, but since they're Yours, they are blessed. In Your hands they can buoy, not break. Teach me to surf them and not be plowed down by them?


By day the LORD commands His steadfast love,
and at night His song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.

The Puritan quoted in a book I read last week exhorted Christ's people to rely on God's promises. Here is one for today. Thank You, Lord, for commanding Your steadfast love. Thank You for the lullabies you sing with me at night. You are the God of my life. Your steadfast love is better than stability any day.


Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him,
my salvation and my God.

Thank You, Lord. You are my hope. You are my praise. You are my salvation. You are my God.


Thank You for your mercies this past week to encourage me to trust You for fresh mercy this day:
a good report from the sinus doctor
Your Spirit moving a friend to check on me on a hard day
attending Dad's retirement lunch with Mom, sisters, and brother-in-law
his idea for us to wear our international clothes
feeling loved in my ivory silk tailored by our fellow servants in V--tnam as a wedding gift
that it still fits despite pounds gained
hearing such accolades, things we already knew about him but enjoyed others recognizing too
his excitement over new freedom to serve You
lots of good memories of working alongside him and college study days at his office
Mom's fall and head injury proved to be mild concussion and nothing worse
Your sovereignty
sharing testimonies in comments
Allen's friends celebrating him in his last week at the job he's held the past 5 years
celebration meals
house helper's encouragement
unexpected gift in post
grace for a computer mistake
bees and butterflies in abundance
encouragement from the (in)RL Web conference
finding my missing memory verse spiral
Allen's excitement for his first day on his new job
Dad's excitement for his last day in the computer business
opportunity to go to the side of a friend whose dog passed away this morning 
comfort received, comfort shared
(Joy Dare #5723-5746)





15 comments:

  1. Praying for peace in the midst of overwhelming waves. You have a lot going on at once, my friend. I'm so glad for Allen and your dad received coworkers' blessings as they both move to new seasons. May God's steadfast love continue to ground and secure you.

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  2. And you also, friend. You have at least as much on your plate! Praying for your plans, family, parenting,... Love to you in Jesus!

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  3. "Deep calls to deep..." That calls to me! I love this psalm, and my heart sings it quite often. Isn't it wonderful the way He gives us the perfect words to express our sentiments?
    God bless you.

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  4. Absolutely! His own words are the best prayers. The strong peace of Christ to you today, friend.

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  5. So sorry to read about your mom's fall. Thankful with you that she'll be ok. My parents were so young (21 and 25) when I was born; it's hard to see that they're starting to age, at last.

    You inspire, the way you fight for joy.

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  6. She still has a headache but did fine on the local mission trip she still attended over the weekend. You hit the nail on the head, I think, about why my dad's retirement is partly sad for me. It's kind of a reality check about the aging process.

    Thank you for saying that. Sometimes I feel a failure because it's a fight at all, when my stuff is so minor in comparison, say, to my friend who has lost her dad, her dog, her nephew, her pastor, and part of her body to cancer in the last 18 months. Or to the persecuted church. Anyhow...your encouragement means a lot. I love the joy bird on my wall.

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  7. Well, you're right: it can always be worse. Knowing that, though, doesn't make what's hard easy.

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  8. I love Scripture prayers...or praying Scriptures. Thanks for sharing. It is truly amazing how God speaks to us through His Word. We truly are blessed to have such an awesome God who wants to interact with us! Blessings to you, sis!

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  9. hi Tinuviel,

    don't ever feel a failure! if the events of the last week have knocked you off balance, it's in great part because you give yourself to others in love, and, this side of Heaven, anyone who does that can expect to be "tempested and travailed" (in Julian's words).

    praying that your paperwork and appointments will ease up, and that Alan's new job will be a perfect fit. blessings on you both--

    chris

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  10. Ah, Friend. There is much refreshment for me here, reminding me to turn scripture into prayer. I am sorry for the overwhelming waves of change lately--because yes, even the good changes are hard on the emotions. I will pray for that ability to "surf the waves" and feel the joy of His Goodness deep down, right in the midst of all that's assailing you. For peace about the future that all these changes will lead to. For moments of rest and encouragement in all the busyness. May you be wrapped in arms of love, near and far and His most of all, while you journey this piece of life.

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  11. I love how you answered the why. Why? I'll tell you why...

    Yes, I relate. But you pull through with hope. That's my goal too. Joy always comes in the morning. I see the break of day already. Love you.

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  12. Yes, it is amazing, and we are indeed blessed. Thank you for your words of blessing. Grace to you in the Lord Jesus!

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  13. Thank you for the encouragement, perspective, and especially the prayers. May the Lord return the blessings to you in abundance!

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  14. Thank you for the lovely prayers (from a lovely person). Another page turned on your calendar yesterday, too! It's been a true gift. Thank you.

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  15. Thank you, Lisa. We'll pull each other through, yes? Thanks for your kind feedback. Love you, too!

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Thank you for sharing your day with me! Your presence here is a gift. *You* are a gift. Right now I am unable to reply to every comment, but please know I read and pray for each and every commenter. Grace and peace to you in Christ.