July 2nd - Reflection

Psalm 145:8-14 (NRSV)
God is full of compassion
The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.
The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.

Reflection
God has the compassion of a loving mother. A mother that tenderly feels the pain of the child and quickly comes to nurse that child back to health and well-being. A compassion that longs for the safety and happiness of the child even in a world of sickness and pain. A compassion that realizes that through love, even the ills of this world can have a comfort and joy and safety and hope that only she can give.

Such a feeble attempt to explain the compassion of God. Of course God's compassion goes beyond the explanation I attempted above, but the explanation is on the path. God is good and God's goodness is universal. In God's goodness all creation cries out in thankfulness and praise.

Take time this summer to rise in the morning. Silently sit in the midst of creation, outside of the hustle and bustle of the city and hear God's creatures declare that thanksgiving and praise. In the evening as the sun sets, you will notice parts of God's creatures have completed their day of singing praise and thanksgiving and then there is a switch, typically from birds to insects with some other's included. The owls begin to hoot in joy and the insects sing forth praise to God.

You can even hear and see a city come to life if only you stop, look and listen. Watch God's creatures and the march of praise and thanksgiving that occurs in daily life.

We have a task due to God our Creator. We have a task to declare a testimony to God's power and influence on life. We are here to praise and thank God and sing of God's glory. We sing of God's steadfast love and compassion that brings us life and joy and happiness, even in the midst of sin and death and illness. We have a joyful and wonderful task. So sing and give thanks and praise to God above. Tell everyone what God has done! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Wonderful Father, compassionate Mother, you have created all that exists. Hear our song of joy and thanks and praise...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen