"Lament is a cry of belief in a good God, a God who has His ear to our hearts, a God who transfigures the ugly into beauty."
Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts
I awake, throw on my sweatshirt and potty the dogs. After taking time with my diabetic one, I turn on the TV, pop a pod in the Keurig and turn on the news. I empty the dishwasher while the announcers empty my heart with the headlines.
- More protests over the president's immigration stance.
- Rumblings from leaders around the world.
- An eight-year-old girl and a Navy Seal killed in a U.S. raid in Yemen.
- There are fires in Colorado. In February.
Whatever one's stance on this kaleidoscope of human issues, my heart empties that we are even here. Brokenness surrounds. A broken government. A broken war. A broken globe. Broken humanity everywhere we turn.
Now I sit at my computer and ponder what message I have to speak into the sufferage. (Yes, I know, that's not really a word - but just look at it. Doesn't it describe the pain?)
You are not surprised though, are You, God? You do not turn, wincingly from our choices. You stand with us, waiting for our next moves, working through it all. No doubt, Your druthers might take us in other directions. You might prefer a wider embrace, a skirting of skirmish. Yes. But You work through every thing.
Help me today to look for You in the middle moments. Help me today to wave Your hand to those needing to be noticed. Help me today to let You in to my empty heart to fill it yet again.
Psalm 11
In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
"Flee like a bird to your mountain.
For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"
The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
For the Lord is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.
Elisa Morgan speaks and writes to equip and encourage others. She is the cohost of Discover the Word. Her books include Hello, Beauty Full, The Beauty of Broken and She Did What She Could. Connect with Elisa @elisa_morgan on Twitter, on Facebook and elisamorganauthor on Instagram.