I Saw my Shadow

Happy Groundhog's Day! I think that it is quite humorous that I am beginning my new blog on the day when we take our weather cues from a rodent. What does a groundhog care if he sees his shadow or not, if it is gloomy or sunny? All I know is that I could use six more weeks of climbing into my bed and not coming out.
This has been a long month for me and my congregation. I have just presided at my fifth funeral on the last day of January. Our church lost three dear souls: Henry, Thora, and Pauline. And after trying to take care of all these wonderful people and my two year old daughter Hannah who was home sick for a week with double pnemonia -- I just feel like I saw my shadow and I want to climb back into my hole. I don't feel stressed or frustrated by my life -- just that I am tired and I need to recharge my batteries.

That is when I went online this past evening and decided to start a blog.

Now I know that sounds like the goofiest thing on the face of the earth -- for me at least it is. Why would I start a blog. I usually don't do journals -- even though I have tried over and over again. And I don't feel like I am a great theologizer or a extremely spiritual person who has some enlightened words from God to share. I think I am just a person who is trying the best that she can and needs to try something new.

I hope in this blog I can use it to put down my thoughts, share my pastoral and personal expereinces, and give an opportunity for conversation to anyone who is willing to stop by.

My hope is to share something everyday -- a prayer, a poem, a question to ponder, a word or thought, some scripture, and probably a picture or two. And next time, I will share the meaning of Blog Title: Praying in Her Heart.

But for now I am reading the next scripture everyday for a week -- to help pull myself out of my gloomy whole and back into the sunlight. Enjoy!

Psalm 143 -- 1 O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. 2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. 3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. 4 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. 5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. 6 I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. 8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. 9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. 11 For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. 12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.