Tucked Away

Psalm 57  New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

Be merciful to me, O God; be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
until the destroying storms pass by.
I cry to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame those who trample on me. Selah
God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.

I lie down among lions
that greedily devour human prey;
their teeth are spears and arrows,
their tongues sharp swords.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.

They set a net for my steps;
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my path,
but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
My heart is steadfast, O God;
my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn.
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;
your faithfulness extends to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.

Reflection

     I pray that you will never have to remember this psalm, but I write this just in case you might. I pray that it will remain tucked away in your memory should you ever find yourself fearing for your life or in an extremely difficult time or scenario. Remember that you are tucked away under God's wings as this  beautiful psalm describes. Find the hope that is deep in your heart, where you know God is true, good and right when everything else is wrong. In the midst of a dark time, rejoice and give praises to God because you are so fully and deeply protected and loved forever. I pray that you will find yourself repeating and sinking into the lectio divina of "in the shadow of God's wings,...in the shadow of God's wings,..."

Great God,

We pray for your ultimate peace in difficult times. When things are calm and comfortable, let us study your Word carefully so that we may remember it always. Guide us also to work for justice and peace for all of our siblings. Let us work so that none may struggle without hope. In your Great Name, we pray. Amen.

**This made me think of this hymn (ELW 613 - "Thy Holy Wings") performed beautifully here.

Put it on Repeat!

Psalm 121 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.

Reflection

     I remember a friend talking about a coworker that when a new song came out that she liked, she would put it on repeat and listen to it over and over, pretty much all day long. You can imagine how that could get old if you were in the cubicle next door! In a popular questionnaire contestants are asked, "If you could only listen to one song the rest of your life, what would it be?" I think I would pick a long and complicated song (but even hypothetically,  I don't want to be locked in just yet!).

     Maybe not to the extreme of all day, every day, but this Psalm is one of my favorites. I have found it to be meaningful in many situations personally and professionally. It is a good psalm before travelling and also as a beautiful reminder of providence and protection. I love the image of being protected from being moonstruck. Perhaps as Halloween excitement is revving up, this is even more appropriate! Yes, it ages well. Time passes and I still love the reminder that God does sleep from watchfulness.

Great God of all time and seasons,

We love and adore you for more reasons than we can count.

We give you thanks this day and always for your presence.

Your hope is never-failing from pound to ounce.

Your eye sees all and your nose misses no scent.

Comfort all this day who are suffering or in need.

Comfort us and remind us that we can trust you indeed.

Amen.

A Form of Creation

Commemoration of Saint Francis of Assisi

Matthew 11:25-30  New English Translation

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”

Reflection

     The last few days have been full of rain and the ground is finally soft and recovering from the dryness of the summer. Rain typically brings a few confused crickets and earthworms into the garage through the tiny gap under the door. A red wriggler struggled on the concrete near the organizer shelf next to our door. I walked past it once, I believe taking the dogs out. The second time I walked past it, the struggle was slowing. It was time to move it back outside, I deposited carefully into a crack in the mulch. I put another bunch of moist mulch on top of it to rehydrate it and protect it from hungry birds. Yes, I know that it is just a worm--often described as one of the "lowest" forms in Creation. I could see not point, though, in just letting it die in the garage. Every worm has its part, even if it is just to make compost.

(Pixabay/Dimitris Vetsikas)

     I was encouraged by reading an email from Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest which described Saint Francis as removing worms from a path so they wouldn't be trampled. More important than making me feel like I had done a good thing, the article described the significance of humility and the love of God in Francis' understanding our place in the world. We are siblings with all of Creation. He saw us not as caretakers and overseers, but companions with all of the furry, scaled and multi-legged creatures  around us.

Dear Lord,

We praise you for all your goodness that is all around us. We thank you for the unity that we have together with creatures and all that fills the Earth. We pray your blessings on our pets, siblings close to us that show us love and can teach us humility. We ask for your continued care and watchfulness over them and all of us together as we learn to live as you intend. In your many Names of goodness, we pray. Amen.