As week twelve (or is it thirteen?) begins, and the pandemic continues amidst sporadic social pandemonium current events are crazier. I hoped maybe current events would round a corner today, and we’d be on a better page of history. But, no.

I think this meme says it all:

When I pried myself off social media, and opened the Bible, which I hope everybody else will read, and have an A-Ha moment, I had the A-Ha moment.

Look at what today’s reading was: The Senior Citizen’s Psalm! Tailor made this reading was  for me on a day that is more troubling than the day before!

God Knew What I Needed to be Reading.

Here are better prayers to be praying, then Make this craziness Stop, God! (Although, I sure pray that God, who can, will stop the pandemic, pandemonium, and suffering!)

To grow old is to pass from passion to compassion.

Reading these six psalms, I see that

• The Psalmist pours out his troubles in words that describe my fears!
• He believes God does not turn away from his prayers, nor does God refuse him his kindness and love.

When you are as  seasoned a citizen as I am;  if you sometimes can’t think of the right words, or, when you are too upset to pray, seeing your troubles in God’s word as a prayer He inspired is a grand gift.

It’s safer for me to think about God, than today’s collapsing communities, conventions, and conversations.

It’s saner for me to remember God knows about everybody else’s issues; He would like to hear from me about mine. The psalmist said what I need to say:

O God, you know how foolish I am;
    my sins cannot be hidden from you.
⁶ Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me,
    O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated,
    O God of Israel. (Psalm 69:5-6)

Remembering what a silly bugger I have been, tempers my judgment of others with compassion:

Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up. ~Jesse Jackson

Although events keep swirling and churning, Lord, with the psalmist I ask

• Keep me an honest witness of Your grace and mercy, especially because we seem to be stopping up our ears, and shutting our eyes to You. (Psalm 71:18)
• Keep our political leaders, and church leaders caring for the helpless and poor, saving them from, oppression and violence. (Psalm 72:12-13)

In this pandemic and pandemonium, give me ears to hear the complaints, Lord, and shut my mouth if all I have to share is my opinion or a YouTube teaching, no matter how great it is at making all the points I wish I had made. And make me generous, giving and grateful.

You, Lord, really are the answer to this hurting and harmful generation, and for your church.

Meme source: Sam Guillermo on Facebook