Psalm 63.1-8
O God, you are my God, I
seek you,
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in
the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your
steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long
as I live;
I
will lift up my hands and call on your name.
My soul is satisfied as with
a rich feast,
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
when I think of you on my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
Often the last thing I
"do" before I fall asleep is to remember. Especially if it's
been a lousy day, the Holy Spirit reminds me that there are untold reasons to
be grateful, and that it is a good, healthy, even holy thing to identify
at least three of God's gifts before I sleep. When it's most unlikely
I'll come up with even one, many occur to me. Some
blessings relate to what isn't,
like "I'm grateful I don't have arthritis,"
"Thank You for a clear mammogram," and "Phew, no
natural disasters occurred in my neighborhood today." (Can you
see that depending on my mood, I can really be reaching?? Funny thing
though, when I seem to be digging ridiculously deep, God gives profound insight about very real blessings I've
overlooked my whole life.) Some blessings relate to what is, like
"I am blessed to be a mother," "Thanks for my
parents' visit," and "The first robin appeared on the lawn
today."
"My soul is
satisfied...
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
when I think of you on my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night."
There is power in
praise. There is even a book by that name. Not that thanksgiving
(for gifts given) should be confused with praise (appreciation of God for Godself).... but when I force/allow myself to enumerate
heavenly blessings, I am overwhelmed by God's
goodness/greatness/graciousness. Whatever worries and internal or
external conflicts that might keep me from sleeping slip into perspective when
placed next to eternity.
Maybe morning is a tougher
nut for you to crack than nighttime. If so, try beginning your day with
remembrance of yesterday's blessings -- no less than three! Don't be
surprised if that little exercise brings soul satisfaction....
Dear Father in heaven,
"I once was blind, but
now I see" the blessings You heap upon us.
Open our eyes, that each gift may reveal the Giver. Amen
Pastor Mary Virginia Farnham