Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
    from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time on and forevermore.

I must admit these days that my brain feels more like the dog from the movie “Up.” Dug is laser-focused on things, until he is not. It’s become a family joke about when someone’s attention wanders someone yells, “Squirrel!”
Between the news about politics, the pandemic, working from home, following safety guidance and the lovely gifts left over from chemotherapy, my focus hasn’t been as great as it once was. I’m having trouble reading and concentrating and it feels like everything is out of focus and blurry. Routines have been upset, new challenges have come up, and new ways of working and planning have become the norm for those of us who are lucky enough to hold onto our jobs. And for those who haven’t been as fortunate, I can’t imagine the stress and fear and heartache they are going through trying to keep it all together.
I think I have sung the scripture above more times than I’ve read it out loud. It is such a lovely image. It also reminds me of my grandmother, who would say in a tough time, “Keep your chin up.” This Psalm feels like God’s way of saying, “Keep your chin up. Better things are ahead. Keep looking toward the horizon, looking toward God.” If we can manage to put our blinders on and stay laser-focused on our God and Savior and ignore all the “squirrels” vying for our attention to throw us of course, then I think it’s going to be OK. I am not saying it’s going to be easy and there won’t be heartache and struggle, but we know that our God is in the struggle with us and doesn’t abandon us to the darkness.
It is hard to see in the middle of the storm the hand that’s reaching out to hold us near. I pray that in this season of trial and turmoil, you seek out and take hold of that hand. You may still struggle but may you be enfolded in his love and peace as you work through it.  

Prayer for Reflection

Genesis 22:1-14
Psalm 13
Romans 6:12-23
Matthew 10:40-42