Offer an Olive Branch

AM Psalm 41, 52 • PM Psalm 44
Exod. 32:1-20 • Col. 3:18-4:6(7-18) • Matt. 5:1-10

It’s hard right now—working at home, hyper-sensitive to everything my elder cats do, wanting a place of refuge, wanting to do as before. By week’s end, I am irritable, quick to blurt out unkindness, ready to just, well—explode!!

Psalm 52 expresses my raw feelings and my unfortunate reactions:

“Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor...You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!”

I admit that I grow anxious as these days go by, that I project frustration on others rather than to ask God for guidance. Too often, I look at everything from my own perspective rather than from God’s. I know better. I know that in my life, God will attend to all that I need and will offer grace and blessings as God sees fit. But I have to have faith. I have to trust that my cats’ day-long stupors are normal; that the right person will be hired, regardless of my dug in heels; that the book review will be completed, despite disruptions left and right; that one day the lakes and campgrounds will reopen, but most importantly, that we will see each other again at St. Paul’s.

As the psalm ends:

“I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good.”

Everything that I need is with me now. Indeed, God promises that I will always have as I need. May I be still and remember God’s presence. Rather than offering sharp-edged words, may I please God and offer an olive branch instead.

Written by Linda C. Jones

Linda has been an active member of St. Paul's since 2000.