Thursday, September 1, 2016

Today’s Reading  |  Psalm 90    

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
   in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
   or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
   from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You turn us back to dust,
   and say, “Turn back, you mortals.”
For a thousand years in your sight
   are like yesterday when it is past,
   or like a watch in the night.

You sweep them away; they are like a dream,
   like grass that is renewed in the morning;
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
   in the evening it fades and withers.

For we are consumed by your anger;
   by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
You have set our iniquities before you,
   our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

For all our days pass away under your wrath;
   our years come to an end like a sigh.
The days of our life are seventy years,
   or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;
even then their span is only toil and trouble;
   they are soon gone, and we fly away.

Who considers the power of your anger?
   Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
So teach us to count our days
   that we may gain a wise heart.

Turn, O Lord! How long?
   Have compassion on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
   so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us,
   and as many years as we have seen evil.
Let your work be manifest to your servants,
   and your glorious power to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
   and prosper for us the work of our hands—
   O prosper the work of our hands! (NRSV)

Reflection
She was the most humble, ordinary, and yet happy person I think I will ever know.

She lived most of her life on a small farm in Ohio with no bathroom in the house, just an outhouse about twenty feet away. The smell of that outhouse still lingers in my nostrils. There were five kids, and many lambs, cows, and chickens. Dinner was often whichever chicken was the slowest to run away. I can still remember how to wring a chicken’s neck and pluck the feathers to make a tasty meal. Her life was hard but filled with blessings that she never took for granted.

My grandmother, Betty Sherer, lived the final years of her life in an assisted living facility that was wonderful—and very different from the farm. She enjoyed the people, the games, and having someone else prepare the food. She was always optimistic about every day and even in the end was looking forward to being with God.

Her bed was near a window, and out that window was a tree with a bird feeder. She had always enjoyed watching the birds play in the tree and eat from the feeder. As she waited to meet God, several family members gathered around and were blessed to hear her final words: “Oh, look! The birds are having a party.” Then she entered into life everlasting with complete hope and trust in God’s all-embracing love. She experienced wonder and joy to her last moment and wanted to share that hope with those around her.

“So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.”

Prayer
Lord of all creation, help us to give thanks and praise to you in all things and at all times. Guide our words and actions so that they may always be a reflection of your love and tender care. Amen.

Written by John W. W. Sherer, Organist and Director of Music

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email