Today's reading from the Old Testament is the 10th plague. I knew it was coming. But somehow with the death of Mike Westbrook, Band Director at Hardin-Jefferson High School, the first death in Jefferson County from COVID-19, I just couldn't. I knew it was coming - didn't know who but knew that death was headed this way. And while I know death comes for us all - I'm not ready for any of us to leave this earth - yet. And as if knowing my heart - this is the given reading from the Psalm for today.
Psalm 130
Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice : let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss : O Lord, who could stand?
For there is forgiveness with you : therefore you shall be feared.
I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him : in his word is my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning : more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, wait for the Lord : for with the Lord there is mercy;
with him there is plenteous redemption : and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins. My soul waits for the Lord : more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Today, before I read the news, I knew I needed something different. So we made pancakes, went for a walk and had an entirely different day. My soul waits for the Lord. I invite each of us to take time, to open our hearts and lives to wait for the Lord.
Let us pray: Holy God, mold us and form us into the kind of -people you want us to be. Be patient with us when we fall short of what love demands of us. And give us patience with ourselves. Catch us in the arms of your grace. Amen.