It is you who light my lamp;
the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.29 By you I can outrun a troop,
and by my God I can leap over a wall.
30 This God—his way is perfect;
the promise of the Lord proves true;
he is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 18: 28-30 NRSVue
I woke up this morning, checked the news, and immediately felt despondent. Those of you who know me will understand why. I'm not partial to despots and dictators. After a bracing cup of coffee I got dressed as per usual, putting on one sock at a time, although I may have put them both on the same foot. I gathered up everything I need for a study group on the New Creed of the United Church in Trenton. Life goes on and we blessed in many ways.
I also read the daily psalm which is Psalm 18: 20-30 and it was reassuring, even though I wasn't quite ready to be hopeful. When I feel that I am stumbling in darkness, bewildered and scared, God lights my way. And even though it would be a challenge to outrun my four-year-old grandson, with God I can lap a troop (of turtles?) or leap a wall (of Lego?) While I can't take this literally it does speak to my battered heart and soul.
The words of a favourite hymn also came to mind, and one verse in particular. I'll do my best to hold on to theses psalm verses and hymn lyrics through this day. Let's choose not to lose heart.
3 This is God's wondrous world:
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is God's wondrous world:
why should my heart be sad?
Let voices sing, let the heavens ring:
God reigns, let earth be glad!
Yes, I'm feeling a little depressed with the result. Astonished and depressed. My wife and I are going to make a serious effort to avoid being news junkies for the next four years, given virtually everything the orange menace does will make my blood boil. Even while I work today, I still feel numb. I did check my phone a few times throughout the night, and I wish I hadn't.
ReplyDeleteI guess 70 million Americans are good with a leader who mocks the disabled, is a misogynist, racist and liar....and a convicted felon. Let's add pathological liar to the list. Forget about God Bless America, God HELP America(and the rest of the world being affected by this appalling outcome).
It is appalling ! Americans have lost their moral compass.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful to be a Canadian but I know we can't be smug or complacent. Thanks to both of you.
ReplyDelete