(updateed from a Facebook Post I made two years ago)
At exactly this time two years ago Diane had a very rough couple of days. She had to have a molar pulled, and it was painful. Add that to the fall she took just before the previous Thanksgiving, which kept her hobbling around for six weeks. On top of that, she broke a tooth as well which had to have a crown. Then last February she got hit hard with that flu thing we keep hearing about. Both these events provided a pretty good reason or a pretty good excuse to be depressed. Both times she was but not for long.
Why was that?
I know her. She has the best heart of any person I have ever met and I am not just saying that. She is usually sweet-natured, quick to forgive when done wrong, and gives more than she expects to receive. I am very thankful for those attributes she possesses because I am not the easiest person to live with.
Why is she like this? Because she has what we all should have, a heart that is tuned to the spirit of God, and his Son Jesus. She sees Him in the world around us, she feels his Spirit. His Holy Spirit.
Many years ago, long before we retired she was the worship leader in our church. This was not a routine thing for her, she was not interested in impressing folks with her guitar playing or her singing, she knew exactly what she needed to do and that was lead the folks there to a place she wanted to go to, into the presence of God.
I was there, I saw the folks go with her, their hands raised, the tears flowing. People came to church with the weight of the world on their shoulders, their cares hard to bear, and in the midst of Diane's singing they cast their cares big and small on the One who said to do so, who said He would fix them. As she sang about God's grace, his mercy, and his lovingkindness, they didn't just sing, they worshipped.
Diane offered the sacrifice of praise and I have no doubt that God accepted it.
Many folks told me, that church was usually just a place to go, but Diane's singing and worship took them somewhere else, She helped them soar into the presence of God. She was a real blessing,
She still is.
There was one song that came to mind this morning that she, I, used to sing, some of the words are:
Let the words of my mouth and meditation of my soul be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
Those words come from a Psalm, some call it the greatest one ever written, written by a person who just like my wife, knew, knows God, by his work, his Love his handiwork, and trusts him and knows that He is worthy to be praised.
(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in the keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.