Filled with greatness, Psalm One calls us upwards to live in such a way that we become like the person it describes. And thereby succeed in all we do. But distracted by our obligations, and pressures, we sometimes forget to stay planted by the stream of God’s living water.
No one likes roadblocks or delays. We prefer doing what we want and going where we wish. But sometimes we find roadblocks in our way, and frustration sets in. Or irritation, anger, resignation, sorrow. Disappointment can bring a whole spectrum of emotions. And we wish for a bulldozer to clear the way.
“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” That’s sort of what happened to me. Except the foundation wasn’t destroyed, it fell away. I fell down an entire flight of marble steps (10 of them) in May, without remembering how it happened. I guess my mind chose to block it out.
As the saying says, when it rains it pours, and for me lately it’s been a period of real flooding! Well, I’ve done it again. Fallen, and this time down a whole flight of stairs. Marble steps, all 10 of them.
The apostle Paul was sitting in a prison cell. The city in an uproar over this man who stirred things up wherever he went. I, in his place, would have asked, “Why Lord? I was only obeying you and preaching your word. So please get me out of this fix! I’ve done nothing to deserve jail!”
Today I’m looking back, way back. Yesterday was Dad’s birthday and he would have been 87. He passed away last year, just 4 days before his 86th birthday. I miss him still and always will. Especially because of all the lost years. All my years overseas, so far from family.
Signora Sheila