Staring Me in the Heart

Psalm 87, 90 • Psalm 136
Hosea 1:1—2:1 • Acts 20:1-16 • Luke 4:38-44

I admit it.

There are some days of writing these reflections when none of the readings touch me. When that happens, I read them again. And again. And sometimes again. On this particular someday, Psalm 90 emerged in that fourth reading from the fog of my thick mind and spoke to me, not with a cascade of cerebral fireworks but with the quiet elegance that simplicity can carry.

I’ve had difficulty concentrating of late. Focusing enough to read a book, following through on unfinished projects, staying on task — it has been more challenging for me than I am comfortable with.  And in this very uncomfortable time, I have caught myself frenetically (and unconsciously) hoping for some Big Magic to make all this go away — the pandemic, the violence, the divisive politics, the racism, the fires, the loss.

And then I read Psalm 90 four times. 

Lord, you have been our refuge since time began. You are forever; we are but a breath in time. Even then, our lives are full of toil and trouble; they are soon gone and we fly away.

You overwhelm us, Lord, and see our naked hearts, our secret sins. Teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love.

There it is, yet again, staring me in the heart. Simple, elegant — a lesson I must relearn everyday.

Teach us to see each day as a gift.

Lord, help me feel the delight of this gift, this day, in the midst of any moments of despair. Let me help others see the gift of delight in their day. And Lord, most of all — thank you!

(PS. Did you know? Psalm 90 is the only psalm attributed to Moses! Imagine the things he had seen when he wrote this!)

Written by Bernadette Reda

While keeping busy at her home in the Goshen woods, Bernadette continues to make lively attempts at improving her neuroplasticity with music, sewing, amateur meteorology, photography, and finding more British mysteries to watch.