11-Oct-14

I will praise the Lord at all times.  I will constantly speak His praises.  I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.  Come,let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.  Psalm 34:1-3When the sun streams through the sliding door, a squirrel feeds on the food I left him and the birds chirp and flit back and forth from the hanging feeder, I smile.  It is quiet and my husband sleeps.  That is when I praise God for the His peace.Just last Thursday, as I exchanged summer clothing for winter clothing in my husband’s closet, I had a moment when I felt a moment of angst.  It is then I call upon the name of God.  I saw the one jacket in the closet that he will be buried in, I choose a tie and a shirt, and put them back in the closet.  The clothes are ready.  Will I be ready to face the moment when I must say goodbye?It has been almost 63 years, and it hasn’t been long enough.  Is that why God made Forever?  He wants us to be with Him forever.  Counting in time doesn’t matter, forever does.  I pray and God answers.  No matter how difficult the days and sometimes the nights, too.  He is there.  He takes away the fears. I choose to believe.  I choose to trust Him.  And through these choices, He frees me from dread, fear and shame.  He gives me His Joy.  I love you, Lord!  And I lift my voice to worship you, Oh, my Lord….I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.  Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.  In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.  Psalm 34:4-6