ACCEPT BlessingS

From Rev Sue Ann Yarbrough

Scripture
"Let my whole being bless the Lord! 
Lord, my God how fantastic you are! 
You are clothed in glory and grandeur! 
You wear light like a robe; 
you open the skies like a curtain, 
You build your lofty house on the waters; 
you make the clouds your chariot, 
going around on the wings of the wind." 
Psalm 104:1-3 (Common English Bible)​

Meditation
Psalm 104 always makes me smile. It really is a song of praise, and now with our worries of climate change, drought, Omicron, war, and goodness knows what else, it is so encouraging to read this Psalm that envisions and celebrates God riding across the sky in a chariot, clothed in the grandeur of light, water, and wind. This Psalm reminds us that God cannot be stymied.

Later in the Psalm we read of God putting springs into dry riverbeds to water mountains and to tend to birds, badgers, mountain goats, prowling lions, and yes, even humans. It is a great Psalm of life, and I give thanks that God holds all creatures. This we can trust.

I remember reading part of this Psalm in a community a few years ago. One woman asked me, "How can we be a blessing to God? Isn't it God who does the blessing?"

​Certainly God blesses us. Yet, I believe we bless God with our gratitude. With our delight with the earth and with one another. If we do not pay attention to the blessings of life around us, we miss so much. We have a role in tending to God's kingdom. That role is to love. To pay attention. To express our gratitude. 

Let us take time to look around. To look out of the window. To give thanks for flowers, birds, and one another. We may come away with the sense that God is still on the move, working miracles, and bestowing life. Let us trust that we, too, are also on the move with God. Let us accept the blessings, and give thanks that God continues to gather us in that beautiful wild chariot. We have a place, right there with God. Blessed be.
 
Prayer
Holy One, we sing your praises, even if it is only in our hearts. Yet, we know if even one of us sings, you hear a grand choir. We are grateful to be a part of your good creation.

Yes, we yearn for peace in this world. However, we also know peace begins with us. So, as the psalmist sings, we rejoice in your love and in your presence right here today. We give you our thanks and praise.

In our hearts we fly to and in your love as we sing, 
Amen.
--
Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough, Associate Pastor
San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ
www.slzchurch.org 
www.hearthpsalms.blogspot.com ​