I have some pretty heavy things on my mind today, which makes it hard to find peace. I decided to look at the daily readings from the liturgical calendar. Admittedly, I have not done this for awhile, although I used to find the daily readings a source of much strength and comfort. I am glad I chose to do it today. Today's psalm is one that I have often turned to at other challenging times in my life, and once again, it has brought me comfort:


Psalm 71
1 In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge;
*let me never be ashamed.
2 In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free;
*incline your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe;
*you are my crag and my stronghold.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
*from of the clutches of the evildoer and the oppressor.
5 For you are my hope, O LORD God,
*my confidence since I was young.
6 I have been sustained by you ever since I was born;from my mother's womb you have been my strength;
*my praise shall be always of you.
7 I have become a portent to many;
*but you are my refuge and my strength.
8 Let my mouth be full of your praise
*and your glory all the day long. ...

...17 O God, you have taught me since I was young,
*and to this day I tell of your wonderful works....

...19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens;
*you have done great things;who is like you, O God?
20 You have showed me great troubles and adversities,
*but you will restore my life and bring me up again from the deep places of the earth.
21 You strengthen me more and more;
*you enfold and comfort me,
22 Therefore I will praise you upon the lyre for your faithfulness, O my God;
*I will sing to you with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will sing with joy when I play to you,
*and so will my soul, which you have redeemed. ...

I am so eternally grateful that I was raised in a home that was rooted in a deep, strong faith that shaped and molded me, day by day, to be the woman I am today. I have known the love of my Creator all of my life, and I have my parents to thank for that. Although I have struggled with my own faith journey, as most of us do, I have learned that in my heart-of hearts that deep, abiding faith is still there. Life brings us many things that we cannot change or control, and that is sometimes scarey and overwhelming. And, those are the times when we most need to let go, and trust a loving God. That is most definitely not always easy, at least not for me. But, when that is what is left, we often find out it is more than enough. And, I am grateful.