“O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.”  Psalm 30:2

“Jesus said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.’”  Mark 5:19

What will I cry out for today?  Will I acknowledge the mercy and grace God has shown me … and personally thank Him?  

I don’t need more possessions.  I’m very comfortable that way.  I am in reasonably good health – for now.  I will need “outside” help to so continue.  What I really need is more patience and empathy; freedom from fear and prejudice; an end of war; for peace of mind and heart when prayers aren’t answered as I had wished. 

I will pray not just for MY healing, what the Lord has done for ME.  But for family and friends; people new to our community and nation; people stranded in war, away from their homes and own beds.  Those I deem dangerous?  Our nation’s “enemies”?  Prayer then comes harder.  But I must not judge and pray for change in aggressive behavior everywhere including my own; for my own understanding of differences.  

I will pray my own demons and obsessions be called out of me … mistrust and judgement, selfishness and indifference.  If I just stop to think, these lists will go on all day long.  I will have to pray all day long … digging up daylilies in my backyard; folding clothes in my laundry room; cleaning bathrooms; flossing and brushing my teeth knowing I will lie down in peace – and still praying.  

I must remember to tell how much the Lord has done for me.  Do I live like the nine, so glad God saw things my way, and go on my way?  Or do I live like the one who stopped to thank Jesus for all he has done.  That will indeed take all day long.  Amen  

Verla Olson 

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party