Do not be afraid - God hears your pain

I went to the post office to get a money order to mail, along with a letter to Zach, barely making it through the door before it shut at 2:00, I was the last person in the long line. I couldn't help but notice that the post-people on duty were both likely immigrants -- an Asian woman and a dark-skinned man who could have been Muslim or Indian. I wondered how they felt today, with the uproar about immigrants.

From my Facebook Friend, Fellow Early Childhood Specialist, and Writer:

I just shared this on my private page for those who "love troubled souls." But I wanted to share it here as well because it is too good not to share with everyone.

Do I ever have a story for you!

Yesterday was one of the hardest. I began to identify with Mary who suffered along with Jesus at the cross. Though Zach is a far cry from Jesus, it does seem to be mothers who must be strongest and refuse to turn away from their child's agony. Heartbreaking.

When I stepped up to the counter, the dark-skinned man spoke with an accent that was obviously from India. He asked how I was, twice, and I gave a polite reply and asked how he was doing. He grinned from ear to ear, pointed to the ceiling and said, "As long as I have such a blessed relationship to Him, nothing else matters. I am happy!" I got a tear in my eye and told him that this was a blessing to hear, that I was getting a money order to send to my son who was incarcerated just two weeks ago.

And that is when business stopped, and we had church.

The man turned over my receipt and wrote, "Be still and know that I am God."* And then, he wrote "Psalm 41" -- and said I must read this. Then he said, "Wait, no. Did you go to school in this country?" And I said yes. And he said, "Then you can probably read the whole psalm quickly right now." He pulled it up on his iPhone. (Keep in mind he is a postman behind the counter after an incredibly busy day, and I am just a customer.) And so I did, and I got teary-eyed and thanked him. He assured me all would be well.

We finished up, and I went to the lobby to fill out the rest of the address, wiping at tears. And then I heard a disembodied voice coming out of the ceiling or air vent or somewhere say, "Please do not cry, Lady. Everything will be okay."

I looked up and joked, "God, is that you?" Then the Post Office Prophet stepped out from behind a door and said, "I also want to tell you to read Psalm 121. No wait, I will recite it for you." And so with hands outstretched palms up toward the ceiling he began,

" I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth...."

Then he lifted up his hand for a high five and left me with the words, "You must tell you son to just get in the boat and let God guide him the right direction. And everything will be okay."

I'm a puddle of tears by this point, but manage to say, "My son was a commercial fisherman. The boat picture will resonate with him."

I don't know about you, but my experience at the post office (ours is crazy busy and always long lines) doesn't generally come with a psalm, a sermon, and a blessing. I knew that I knew that I knew that I knew..... God was using his megaphone through this happy, willing vessel -- to speak personal encouragement to my heart.

*"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

To my friend:

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear Psalm 46:1-2

Jesus Draw Me

 

KeithandKristyn Getty

  

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Tues Jan 1

Psalms: 103 148

Gen 17:1-12a, 15-16

Col 2:6-12

John 16:23b-30

When I was growing up, my mother brought food to the table in bowls and on platters. We then gathered around the table and remained standing behind our chairs while my father gave thanks for the food we were about to receive.

While raising our children, food still came to the table in bowls and on platter. Everyone carried something to the table, chattering away about their day. We sat and took turns saying grace or choosing the grace that would be offered by all.

During the Christmas holidays, our daughters served our plates in the kitchen. When all the plates were on the table, we were called to come and eat. I noticed that the younger children would begin to eat as soon as they sat down. 

 When everyone gathered around the table, the children set their utensils on their plates, chewed and swallowed what was in their mouths, and raised their hands if they wanted to help say grace.

Psalm 103:1 in action. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, let all that is within me bless thy holy name.”

As our family grows and changes, I am convinced over and over again: God does not change. “But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children.” Psalm 103:17.

John Wesley believed that God creates each human “capable of God.” We carry within us a capability to know, love and obey our creator. With that capability, we are inheritors of the “everlasting covenant of grace” between God and Abraham. 

This and all succeeding covenants are a means of grace for all readers everywhere.  The covenant is mutual: we must walk before him in obedience and he will be our blessing.  We, as descendants of this covenant, are invited into a vibrant rapport with God. We are free to and expected to relate intimately with God, and God for his part can always be counted on to be there.

For us, Jesus is the shepherd and the gate to the sheepfold.  When we live in a way consistent with the Lordship of Christ, we have direct access to God.  “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his Holy name.”

God's benefits still include forgiveness, health, redemption, love, mercy and goodness. For our part, we only need to be faithful to remember and do his commandments. Take the time to know him. Learn his commandments. Be willing to forgive others. Take the time required to accept God's forgiveness. Work at forgiving yourself.

When  it seems that health is gone - cling to the health that obedience brings. Obedience to take medicine on time. Obedience to nap when energy is depleted. Obedience to exercise to increase endurance. Obedience to allow others to do things their way and to accept graciously the gift of "let me do that for you." Obedience to follow the doctor's recommendation not to get out in the cold, and especially the cold and wet. Obedience to do what you can. Obedience to forgive yourself. 

Praise God for his redemption through Jesus Christ. Be thankful for his goodness and gift of the Holy Spirit. Lean on him. Find 10, 000, or even 10 reasons to Bless the Lord, O my soul. Write them down, so those who follow, generation after generation, can know them, too.

Published on May 17, 2012

Video copyright Youtube User ID bobf72450. 

Bless The Lord O My Soul sung by Matt Redman. "Bless the Lord O My Soul" is a phrase reiterated from Psalms 103 and 104.