Thoughts for the Day

In you, O Lord, I seek refuge..

Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief,
my soul and body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery,
and my bones waste away.

But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, 'You are my God.'..

Oh how abundant is your goodness
that you have laid up for those who fear you,
and accomplished for those who take refuge in you.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

There seems to have been so much distress recently in our news, whether it is 9-11, or those killed on our streets around the world, or even those brought to trial after many years. All of these bring back memories for victims and survivors, and although the grief may no longer be as raw, it is still as real. My wedding anniversary was on 11th September, so it brings with it extra sadness as I think of my husband, long gone now, and all those who died on that day in the USA.

At first we wonder why the birds sing and the flowers bloom when all the world should know how we grieve. We feel guilt when we laugh, or when we forget our loved ones for a while. Then we return home and find the place empty, and all the grief floods back in an instant.

As we get older friends or loved ones die, and it's never as agonizing as that first death that we experienced - perhaps of a parent. But Psalm 31 reminds us that even at our lowest point when we turn to God for refuge He is there, like a parent holding their son or daughter safe. He knows what suffering and grief are like, and when we cannot pray, when we are inarticulate, He comforts us.

Heavenly Father,
when we are in distress,
when all the joy seems to have gone out of life,
and all we can do is cry,
help us to turn to You,
as our sole protector and comforter.
May we never forget that You are always there
whatever life throws at us,
ready to refresh and heal us.
Amen.