Songs of Joy

During my recent unplanned absence from the blog world, I can assure you that I haven't been doing this:

Not too much of this either:

What in the world have I been doing, you ask?

Well, it is true that I received a trip to a masseuse as an ultra-early Mother's Day gift from my amazing mom. But other than that, I've mostly been weathering an Indiana winter with four children who are alternately whiny, sick, fighting, stricken with cabin fever, whiny, sick, disruptive, messy, and whiny.

The last couple of weeks have been somewhat rejuvenating, even though we've weathered two more bouts of sickness. The days have been getting just warm enough for Matt to work in the yard this week, which has allowed the kids run off a smidgen of five months of steam, which has allowed me to actually devote a bit of attention to housework, which has in turn given me the energy and clearer head I need to return to writing.

I also just finished Beth Moore's Psalms of Ascent bible study, which has filled me with fresh inspiration. This study has given my hearts wings and spurred me on to love God with a passion and dearness that I've not experienced towards Him before. I feel like my eyes have been opened a little more to see evidences of the deep love He has for me. He is so tender and patient.

Ending a bible study is always so hard for me...the daily journey in that particular segment of Scripture is over. But this study feels different because it has driven home to me that this Christian road I walk is all about pilgrimage and that I have both travelling companions and a Protector along the way. I know I'm better equipped than I was before.

"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." ~Louisa May Alcott

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

¹ When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed.

² Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."

³ The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

⁴ Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.

⁵ Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.

⁶ He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.