Ordinary Time

Pause

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Psalm 23:3 (New King James Version)

Listen

You changed my mourning into dancing. You took off my funeral clothes and dressed me up in joy so that my whole being might sing praises to you and never stop. Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

Psalm 30:11-12

Think

While trying to live the life of a disciple of Christ is challenging, there are moments along the path that are sheer joy. Sometimes a moment of clarity brings such joy, such as the Psalm describes today.

Such moments are surely gifts from God, times where we can see the stark difference between where we have been and where God has mercifully brought us. The difference is as clear as that between mourning and dancing and serves as a reminder to give thanks for what God has done for us.

When we are blessed to see that same difference between who we were versus who God has made us to be now, our whole being is given to rejoicing and thanksgiving. While we may not be able to literally sing praises without stopping or give thanks forever, maybe we can ask God to help us rejoice fully from our hearts for at least a moment that we may bless our Lord for restoring us.

Sarah Boatwright

Pray

Gracious God, you give me so much. You renew and restore; you bestow and bless. Help me to be grateful and open my heart that I may sing your praises. Amen.

Go

Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding.

Proverbs 9:6 (New King James Version)