Psalms

The Psalms have always been a favorite book for me.  In it we see the authors (mostly King David) go through the gauntlet of experiences and emotions of every day life....you get to see the highs and lows of their lives and their relationship and interaction with the Lord through it all....and it's very easy to relate to them. Thoughts like, "You mean, David, a man after God's own heart, felt like me? So often, David felt lost, alone, depressed, scared and doubtful?"  This beautiful book of the Bible, brings me face to face with my heavenly Father, comfortably pouring out my heart, doubts, flaws, anger....all of it and always knowing that I will still find His warm embrace, His love and His acceptance.  He never forsook David, nor will He forsake me.

So the idea that in this new Bible study I've undertaken that we read and pray through the Psalms daily is way cool!!  I mean, at first I thought, "well how am I going to add this to my schedule and finish in 40 days??"   I mean some of those Psalms are pretty long, right...119 in one day can't do it! LOL  But then the Lord gently spoke to my heart and said, "It's okay to take a little longer."   Yes!! Pressure off!!

Sometimes we (okay, so I) make doing "God's thing" an obligation, or  we hang up our studies and prayer times on the metaphorical refrigerator door (little magnet and all!) in our minds, as a "check list" of to do's.  We set goals and time limits, put everything on a schedule and then wonder why we don't enjoy our God time.  This little visit of the Lord, His still, small voice letting me know it was okay not to be on a schedule was like opening a pressure valve...it alleviated the pressure of time frame, gave me permission to enjoy this instead of making it a "to do" and settled my heart to an easy flow of back and forth with the Lord.  God is so good!!  How many times can I say that.

Thank You Lord for freedom.  I know I need to be disciplined in my relationship with You, but I don't need to be on such a strict schedule that I lose all the joy of just hanging out with You.  There is a difference in disciplined and rigidly scheduled.  Lord, teach us discernment in this area.  I am so happy that You really just want to be together.  That amazes me.

Enjoy being with the Lord.  The Psalms are a great jumping off point for prayer and meditation.