Key verse: Psalm 77:9 "Has God forgotten how to be gracious? Has he angrily stopped up his compassion?” "
When I was twelve years old, I tore up the Achilles tendon on my right foot in a motorcycle accident. It required several surgeries before I was able to walk again. Overall I spent about six months off my feet. If you've ever seen me at the pool, you've likely noticed the scar I carry to this day.
The worst moment for me was during the hospital stay after the second surgery when the doctor ordered bed rest. I wasn't even allowed to use the bathroom. It was my first introduction to a bedpan.
As a 12 year old adolescent, it was somehow embarrassing and shameful to me that someone else would have to take care of me this way. I had never had to rely on others that way and the sheer frustration made me so angry that it brought tears to my eyes.
I've always had an independent streak.
As I've matured, I've realized that we all come to depend on one another during different times in our lives. There are times we are in need and times when we can help others.
But it is the moment when we are in need that we may feel God's absence rather than God's presence. These are the times as in today's Psalm, that we find the rhythm of faith draws us back to God even when we are suffering.
And when things are going well, sometimes we simply pray for danger to pass us by. I like how Fiona Apple expresses this prayer in this old song from 1931, "River Stay Away from My Door"
Breath Prayer for Today: Holy Spirit, give me strength for today.
Breath Prayer for Today: Holy Spirit, give me strength for today.
In case I'm not the only one that needs to see the song lyrics as well as hear them....
ReplyDeleteYou keep going your way I'll keep going my way
River stay away from my door
All I got is a cabin you don't need my cabin
River stay away from my door
Don't come up any higher I'm so all alone
Leave my bed and my fire that's all I own
I ain't breakin' your heart so don't start breaking my heart
Oh river stay away from my door
Lord ain't I been faithful ain't I worked ain't I toiled in the sweat and sun
Lord ain't I come to you ain't I come to you and thank you
Thank you for all the good things you've done
Listen Lord I know you made that river
But won't you please try to remember that you made me
Oh Lord can't you hear me pray to you
Make that river make that river hear my plea
No I ain't breaking your heart so don't start breaking my heart
Oh river stay away from my door
Thanks Sherry!
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