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

I can almost always count on a fun outfit to brighten my day. There really is something sacred to me about a fun pair of earrings.

I say almost because sometimes, instead of joy, I feel like my whole being is weighed down and no material item can fix how I’m feeling. On those days, I need more help than an outfit change. The kindness of God in our psalm for today and in our lives is that it is God who dresses us up in joy amid the hard days. For the psalmist it is this help that allows their whole being to sing praise.

Often, we need someone to be the presence of God in our lives to help us go from mourning to dancing. Sometimes help comes through the encouragement to change your clothes and to dance, and sometimes it is taking the courageous step to ask someone for help. No matter what step you take to seek healing and joy, God is alongside you.

Taylor Long

Question to Ponder:

What might it look like for you to accept the help of others?

Pray

God, help me to accept the help of others as I hold my emotions in balance, making space for mourning and dancing. God, my whole being reflects and sings praises to you. Thank you for dressing me up in joy. Amen.

Go

Go knowing that the Holy Spirit has created space for you to do the sacred work of bringing justice and love on earth as it is in heaven.