Psalm 100 ~ come into His presence with singing

Psalm 100

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his; [and not we ourselves]
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

There are some Sundays we go into Church and I do not feel like being there. I have things on my mind that feel more present than God. There have been a few times in my life I've contemplated going home, once I actually did. You know, it didn't help. Getting to focus solely on myself wasn't what I really needed. Being a Christian, loving FatherGod helps me remember what is important. Thank God, literally, for the ability to look up. To worship Someone Greater than myself and to realize I am not in charge of it all.

Today has been a sad day. Family has gathered to see Maxine and say good-bye. Family get togethers over death aren't always pleasant. The aspect of death, Hospice, papers and decisions reminds me of parts of the Old Testament were death & fear can be pretty brutal. Life moves along pretty easily for this generation with antibiotics & miracle drugs, but the end of life can be graphic.

Thank you, God, Maxine lives in an era of people using pain relievers. Thank you, God, for the positive aspect of dementia, there is no fear in Maxine. Thank you, God, for the family who are helpful. For people who want to remember the love and want to come see someone who has lived with dementia for 10 years, even when she was unable to have a conversation. Thank you, God, for Your Word, not the sugar coating of the good ship lollipop, but the way we must face death is serious. I am grateful for Jesus Christ mourning with Mary and Martha over Lazarus, before the resurrection. Thank You for the images of death You give us telling us this is not surprising. Mostly, FatherGod, thank you for the Good News telling us we can look up. We can look up in hope. Death is a reason to remember we will come into Your presence with singing.

Please remember to pray for 94 year old Maxine as she comes into God's Kingdom.

<><