Today is Tuesday, the fifteenth of February, 2022, in the sixth week of Ordinary Time.
Peace be with you!
Day 23.350
C has gone to work, this morning, to the office. She says she is feeling some better, but still experiencing what she describes as sinus headaches. My manager at the library seems to be experiencing similar symptoms and was out yesterday and will be today, as well. She also had a negative Covid test result. So far, I have managed to avoid whatever this is.
C and I got the shelf back up in the study, yesterday afternoon. We managed to find a couple of studs in the wall and got it attached to them, so no anchors were needed. Hopefully, it won’t fall off the wall again. I finished going through old files in the file cabinet, so that’s done. I have a stack of files that are going to the garage, as soon as I get the new plastic file boxes that I ordered from Amazon. They should arrive today. These are files that are important enough to not be tossed out, but not important enough to take up space in the file cabinet.
Now I just have a few stacks of papers to go through and file, and things will look much better in here. This will also be conducive to more music making in the future.
Since this is Tuesday, I will be working at the library from 4:15-8:15 tonight. This is also my week in circulation, so I will be working tomorrow and Saturday, in addition to my usual Friday shift in the Computer Center.
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS
GOD IS SO GOOD, by Daryl Madden
My heart would say more If it only could But words will suffice That God is SO good The gift that has rescued From my deserved fate Let me proclaim God’s mercy is great! Blessings abundant Each day He brings Gifts all for free God’s grace is everything Each moment I find Beyond comprehending Unconditionally God’s love is unending
I love this poem, which was published yesterday. I’m not sure how I missed it, yesterday. Please see more of Daryl’s poetry at the link provided.
I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.
(Psalms 7:17 ESV)
Today I am grateful:
1. for the power and love of community in Christ 2. for the wonder, amazement, and praise indicated by the simple word, "oh" 3. for simple things, like getting a shelf back on the wall 4. for my wonderful wife, who is a perfect fit for me, and whom I most definitely do not deserve 5. that God is so good, His mercy is great, His grace is everything, and His love is neverending
Today’s prayer word is “oh.” That’s it. Just, “oh.” But that word carries with it an entire dictionary of meaning, does it not? The Scripture reference is the beginning of Mary’s Magnificat, from the New Living Transation.
Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.”
(Luke 1:46 NLT)
Sometimes, “oh” can indicate surprise, wonder, or praise. Sometimes, it is a response when someone gives us information, and is followed by the word, “okay.” I see that a lot. “Oh, okay.”
The Psalms are filled with the word. One of my favorite instances is Psalm 34:8.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (Psalms 34:8-10 ESV)
Many is the time that I have uttered the word in amazement, when looking out over something in God’s creation. And I love to sing along with Rich Mullin’s use of it in “Step by Step,” as he sings “Oh, God, You are my God.”
“Oh, God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You!” That is my cry to You, this morning, for it is true. No matter what I go through, no matter where I have been or what has gone before, You have remained my God through all of these years of my life, and I see no reason that this should ever change. I have changed like the wind, but You remain constant, and that is the thing that has kept me following You. Your patience with me has been remarkable and most certainly praiseworthy.
As I consider Christ on the Cross, today, and the commands that He gave us, may I follow closely in His steps, walking in the rest of His easy yoke and light burden. Let me not burden myself by attempting to carry loads that are not mine to carry.
Thank You for the beauty of Your creation, both on the earth and in the skies above. May I never grow tired of the amazement and wonder that I get when I see it.
I lift up prayers, today, for C and my manager at work, and others I know who are not feeling well, right now. Please bring them healing and relief. I also pray for wisdom for decisions that need to be made in the future.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Spaces of Beauty, Grace, Prayer, and Mercy 