Sparklers

Yesterday was my grumpy day. We all have them. We all need them.

I missed an exciting trip with great friends to the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque because of some electrical problems in my house after just returning from a Caribbean cruise with some wonderful friends although it kept my house from burning down although I developed a cold that is getting worse a week later which now requires a trip to see my wonderful doctor while my wonderful dog actually pooped in the hallway because I didn’t take him out because he refused to go out in the rain and then couldn’t play golf because of back problems so went to see a wonderful movie (The Intern) with a wonderful friend which made me optimistic until I watched the evening news which consisted of the devastating floods in South Carolina a high school football player dead after a head injury an airline pilot dies mid-flight Taylor Swift has a dance party with Dylan Barnes to “Shake It Off” and Tom Hanks returns student ID to Lauren of Fordham University while local news is same ole’ same ole – children missing shootings leave three dead house burns down leaving family homeless and McDonald’s now serves breakfast all day.

Breath taken.

I acknowledge any editor would cringe at how that first paragraph is written but THAT is how it’s  running through my head. When I faced each of these things and heard each of the news items I could only do one thing. Pray. I asked for God’s mercy and grace and gave thanks for those things that needed thanking for, through a combination of tears and smiles, leaving it up to the reader to decide what belongs where.

But today is a different day. I woke up at 6:33 a.m. with the following running through my mind:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

These words are from the King James Bible, Psalm 24, Song of David, also not written in today’s standard either. I first learned this psalm when I was in third grade. Yes, you read those words correctly.  I learned them and recited them each morning followed by standing proudly, right hand over heart reciting the Pledge of Allegiance just before math class.

So I share them today, instead of my own words because, in spite of being written in about the 1500s they have withstood the test of time continuing to provide hope and comfort.

So, why reinvent the wheel? May your day sparkle with His Grace.