Recovery comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether it is recovery of sight after retina surgery, recovery of a relationship strained by lack of communication, or finding a lost checkbook, recovery should bring two responses: One, thanksgiving, and Two, joy in knowing that all is not lost.
MY PSALM 321. RECOVERY
Almighty Father, Creator of All Things, Sustainer, Provider,
We praise Your Mighty, Eternal Name
When we see evidence of Your Power.
You ask Your people to pray, to pray ceaselessly,
And we are overjoyed to recognize
Your answers to prayer.
When we think of the desperate place we would be in
Without knowledge of Your grace and mercy,
We cry out in fear, unable to cope with life’s tragedies.
Yet, You seek, for Your Glory, to continue to bless us
With mercies we just simply can’t fathom.
It is with joy we see delicate infants in the womb,
Undergo surgeries and go on to live productive lives.
It is with amazement
We see bodies broken and torn in war
Brought back to us, adjusting as they must to new normal,
But able to praise Your Name with humility and honor.
And today, we rejoice that one dear to us
Is recovering from a horrendous accident
Because You will it so.
Thank You, Lord, that you calm the storms of life.
Thank You that you deter storms away from us.
Thank You for erecting strong walls of protection
Around us, winning battles we never knew existed.
Thank You for things we may never know about—
Godincidences which saved us from harm and danger
To Your honor and glory.
Forgive us when we take everyday occurrences as routine.
Forgive us when we fail to notice the nodding flower
A truly remarkable piece of creation we ignore.
We should know You provided it for us, a piece of beauty
In an otherwise chaotic rat-race day.
Forgive us for taking our health for granted
When it is You who provide each heartbeat and breath.
Forgive us for failing to hug the loved one
Who may not live to see another day.
Teach us to so number our days that we may gain wisdom,
As Your Psalmist proclaims.
Teach us to pray ceaselessly,
For we know our fervent prayers are heard
And Your miracles surround us every day.
We bow in reverence and thanksgiving. Amen.
A career teacher, with forty years of teaching language arts/English, Betty Jackson enjoys wordsmithing, writing, and reading as a vocation and avocation.Retirement is her "age of frosting," a chance to pursue postponed hobbies with gusto. She especially sends kudos to the Space Coast Writers Guild members for their encouragement and advice. Her five books, It's a God Thing!, Job Loss: What's Next? A Step by Step Action Plan, and Bless You Bouquets: A Memoir, And God Chose Joseph: A Christmas Story, and Rocking Chair Porch: Summers at Grandma's are available at Amazon.com. Ms. Jackson is available to speak to local groups and to offer her books at discount for fundraising purposes at her discretion. She and her husband soon celebrate their 47th anniversary, and have lived in New York, New Jersey, Iowa, and now the paradise of Palm Bay, Florida. Their two grown children and daughter-in-love, all orchestra musicians, and our beautiful granddaughters Kaley and Emily live nearby. Hobbies, and probably future topics on her blog: gardening, symphonic music (especially supporting the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra as a volunteer and proud parent of a violinist, a cellist, and an oboist), singing, book clubs, and co-teaching a weekly small-group Bible study for seniors. She volunteers and substitute teaches at Covenant Christian School, and serves as a board member of the Best Yet Set senior group at church. Foundationally, she daily enjoys God's divine appointments called Godincidences, which show God's providence and loving kindness.