Listen:
Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. Psalm 103:1-2
Reflect:
I was nineteen. Peak of youth and health. Then something began to grow inside of me.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
It was my first year at university, 8000 miles from home. I knew I was where God wanted me to be, from a series of events, clear to me as God-incidences.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
I was doing well in a new culture, even starting to understand my professor from Liverpool, despite thinking his first class was on foreign languages.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
There, two home college friends became my best friends, and I had a wonderful community of ‘rock’ers (the Solid, kind).
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
When asked if I could be pregnant, I was surprised and said, “No, though I believe in the Virgin birth.” The doctor did not laugh. He got me a scan and surgeon’s appointment.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
I had major surgery, weeks before finals. In the sacred hallways of a hospital, I found my life’s calling.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
I have found hope and healing since in the darkest places. He who gives good things never forsakes nor forgets.
Prayer of Response:
Father, let praise grow to be our breathing in, and our breathing out, even in times of darkness. Praise in knowledge of who you are, God of love, justice and mercy, God who knows suffering, working unceasingly to end all suffering. Enable us to encourage each other onwards in light and darkness, as Jesus teaches us. Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
How is it possible to praise in the midst of suffering? Will remembering that God suffered too help us to pour our sufferings at His feet?
Is there a story of suffering, in the Bible or in history, or in your own past, that can hold you, and encourage you to praise and patience, in times of uncertainties, worries and seeking?
—Submitted by Kae Ting
Kae lives in Lyon, France, and is thankful for memories of God Immanuel, in darkness and in light. She is thankful for the Lifesprings community too, as we walk together towards the November grace session of the bilingual Lifesprings School of Ministry LSM-Formation Zoé. Please pray onwards our students, the reason for this school, for continual trust in God, as they ponder and tend current and future ministry projects, formal and informal, amidst extraordinary circumstances. May all involved be encouraged and drawn to praise, in His amazing grace, in darkness and in light.
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