Selah ~

They played a video that was from the perspective of someone who would have been in the World Trade Center as it fell. The sound was loud and roaring. There were cries, moans and shouting but all you could see was dust and debris in the air. The video was loud but our congregation was still. When it was over the musicians stood and the words to God Bless America came on the screen. It seemed appropriate even though it was in church. Everyone stood and it seemed everyone there sang with all their heart. At least I was as I put my arm around my son. I hoped my singing would translate a sense of pride I had for my country even though it seems that there is disappointment in some of the things I see going on and even in myself. I wanted so desperately to bring back that patriotism we had in the days following 9/11/01. It is very much needed.

The sermon was on Psalm 46. It was very appropriate for what this weekend represents. However, it went well beyond remembrance. To me it transcended that and slipped perfectly into my current situation. This Psalm is to be sung by a women's choir so I definitely could  relate to it.  Psalm 46 talks about how God is our refuge and our strength even though the mountains may fall and the waters will roar and foam. The word Selah is used. Selah, as was explained by Pastor Wicker, means to pause and think about it. How appropriate with all that happens in our life. When life's trials get the best of us, as humans, our natural reaction is to be able to do something about it immediately. However, to pause and think about it is the needed course of action. There are times that we are so overcome with shock and despair that our only reaction is to just stop. Mainly because we can't wrap our mind around it. Perhaps this is our way of dealing with the information/situation we have just been given. To stand, to compute and process and to put ourselves in connection with God. 

To be silent and wait for God's message is a learned skill. For me to be silent, even in my own mind, is very difficult. The chatter I have going on easily can block out any communication from God and anyone else. I think it is easy to let our own self-talk intensify fear, despair or any other negative feeling we may have. It is important not to nurture and cultivate that. As was said by my Pastor, we may not always feel safe but we are always secure in God. It is a constant to renew your intentions and commitment to God and let Him take over. That may not only mean minute by minute but even moment by moment. It is continuous but if we keep trying to remember to do it, there is a sense of calm, peacefulness and joy that will overcome us. This is because we let God handle what seems to over take us.  If we focus on God he provides angelic assistance to all that overwhelms us.

Have you ever had a circumstance that you thought "How am I going to get out of this?" "When will this end?" or "How will this ever be resolved?". Then in comes some change that could never have been conceived, a person interfered that you would never have imagined would be in the picture and the outcome to what seemed like an impossible situation turned on a dime. That is God working in our lives. When these things happen I try and thank God because I know if left to my own devices the outcome would be dismal or tragic.

Life the past two years has been an upheaval for me. However, I am finding that the more I say to God "Hey, can you take this?" He does and I find a sense of peace. I find that there are things I cannot control like my mother's illness and what my ex-husband and his wife do that I give up to Him in prayer. It seems to be working because I am finding more joy in each of my days, despite what is happening around me. I've stopped giving the power to others who create negative feelings in me and just say "Hey God, this is bothering me, help me to react positively to this." and it works. Every time. I just keep saying "Focus on God."and let's face it, this sometimes the only thing we can do.