Hello Friend,

            I have been studying the psalms for my Lenten messages.   The series is called Victory
in Jesus, and the congregation and I have been wrestling with some very difficult issues that we all must confront.  Perhaps most challenging for all of us is facing our fears.   I have been fearful, and if you are honest, you have felt its crushing weight as well. It is the emotion that no one wants to admit they feel.  Seldom do you hear someone say, “I am so afraid.”  
 
          Often when we are fearful we feel most alone, yet God is by our side always.  I was reading from the journal of Sheila Walsh who was institutionalized for severe depression.  Listen to her words about the nearness of God:                                    
      I never knew you lived so close to the floor,                                                                         
      but every time I am bowed down,                                                                                          
     crushed by this weight of grief,                                                
     I feel your hand on my head ,  your breath on my cheek,                                                                       your tears on my neck.                                                                                                     
    You never tell me to pull myself together,                                                 
    to stem the flow of many years.                                                                                               
    You simply stay by my side                                                                                 
    for as long as it takes, so close to the floor.


Friends, “Be strong and courageous. 
Do not be afraid or terrified . . . for the Lord your God goes with you;
 He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:5).                                                          
                                                                       
Linda

Hello Friend,

            Good Morning.  I hope you woke feeling well-rested and ready for the new day. 
As many of you know because you have heard me complaining, I am an insomniac.  After I go for many days with little sleep, I come home from work and fall onto the couch in a stupor—my body surrendered to sleep.  I have tried many over-the-counter remedies to no avail. 
I don’t really toss about in bed and worry, I write.   It seems the best ideas come at night.  Sometimes at 3 a.m. I will be pounding on the keyboard of my computer and fretting that I have to be up in four hours.  I don’t want to stop the flow of inspiration, but why can’t it come in daylight hours?

          Recently, I encountered the above scripture.  I had never before thought of sleep as a gift from God.  I know that I am his beloved child.  So for now the dilemma becomes how to keep the creative process from interfering with my sleep.  And for an answer, I am asking God.  I believe that He hears and responds to our prayers.  Matthew 6:8 says "Your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him.”  God knows I need sleep; perhaps He is waiting for me to ask for his help.   Or, writing at night might be myhorn in my side reminding me of my dependency on God.  What reminds you of your need for God?  He hears every prayer; why don’t you talk to him now?


Prayer: Lord, we thank you that you are with us always.  We claim your promises and know that you will quiet our cares and grant us peace. 
Amen.