“I Must Praise God”
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
Abby, our program manager, writes:
Ever have one of those days when nothing is going right? When just by getting out of bed you wish you could crawl right back in?
Today was one of those mornings when it took everything within me to get out of bed. In my head the stream of excuses started to flow: “I didn’t get enough sleep”; “Just 5 more minutes”; “It can’t be 6:30 already!”
I finally opened my eyes and just started to pray, thanking the Lord for such an amazing day. I continued to praise Him through my shower and while eating breakfast. I put my iPod on and heard some worship songs on my train ride in.
On the train, people were pushing every which way, and then the train was delayed. Several people kept grunting, and by the time we got to my stop, I was pushed out of the train before I could walk out. By the time I got to work, I was trying my best to forget the ride in.
I sat at my desk and read my morning devotional. I was not only wide awake by now, but knew God had a word for me.
As I read Psalm 34, I had to remember that in all things I must praise God. Of course a bad commute into work isn’t the end of the world, but at times these little instances can end up ruining my day.
Keeping my eyes set on Him tends to be my biggest challenge, because when I see the slew of emails come in and the phone calls, the requests, the deadlines, the reports that are due … it can become challenging at times. But I know within myself that the God who allowed me to wake up this morning will give me wisdom to carry out my day.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on February 15th, 2008 and filed under Team Corner, Praise, Your Stories, Verses, Struggles.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Dear Abby,
I can’t even imagine living somewhere like New York. It sounds like you have a lot to take care of, but the Lord said he would not let you bare more than you can stand. When you are weak, then you are strong. I wrote a song titled “Follow ME”
I think it’s appropirate for you and your life’s situation and it’s on the CD and cassette I mailed you and I think you will find it a true blessing.
“FOLLOW ME”
I’ve been through the valley’s, I’ve climbed the mountains high, I’ve crossed the raging rivers, I’ve sailed the sea’s of life. There’s been times of persecution, and many trials along the way, but through all of life’s confusion, I hear a still small voice say.
Follow me, follow me, Pick-up your cross and follow where I lead. When you feel that you can’t stand, just reach out and take my hand, it wont be long, we’re almost home, pick-up your cross and as you walk, follow me.
With tears in my eyes, my heart filled with pain, I struggle step by step as I carry this cross of shame, falsely accused by those around me, please forgive them dear lord I pray, here in my weakest hour, I hear a still small voice say. “Follow Me”
God Bless You,
Michael Baker
February 15th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Abby, I don’t envy your New York City commute (though maybe I’m missing out!). Thanks for sharing, for your honesty.
I think it’s beautiful how you took a deep breath and soaked in God’s presence (using scripture, it sounded like, as a doorway) before diving into work.
I know for me, gaining God’s perspective on things goes a long way toward sanity and love!
February 15th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Dear Abby, Program Manager:
“But I know within myself that the God who allowed me to wake up this morning will give me wisdom to carry out my day.”
Being your ‘copycat’, I glorify the LORD and exalt His name with the Psalmist/you, too.
In prosperity and in adversities, in joy and in sorrow, ALL MIGHTY GOD mercifully protects and delivers me. This nurtures my piety, and ‘do not boast about tomorrow, for I do not know what a day may bring forth.’ (Proverbs 27:1).
What I experience is that: For by His Grace I have been saved through faith, and that not of myself, “…it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
On the worldly level, more often than not, whether one has one’s own business, or is an employee, there are always problems to be encountered.
When I ask any counselee if he prefers to be in the unemployment line, however, without exception, he spontaneously laughs, and feels that his burdens are alighted, and appreciates the blessings of being on payroll.
Thank you, and
May GOD Bless you and yours, and
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.