About the Author

Jill Maisch - as a writer, speaker, missionary, and educator - has a tendency to wander upstream... against the more comfortable current of social and spiritual complacency.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Praise God! - Published in "The Upper Room" 3/22/19

Background:
Photo Credit: Kurt Bauschardt
Several years ago, during a strange late-February thunderstorm, a fierce wind cut a path of destruction through our neighborhood. The experts couldn’t agree on whether it was a microburst or a weak tornado. Whatever it was, it ripped siding off some homes, knocked down fences and toppled dozens of trees. We were lucky that our own house was spared, but our fence was shattered and all the trees in our backyard were uprooted. 

For months I missed the sounds of birds in those trees. I also missed watching squirrels play tag on top of the fence and rabbits running around at dusk. Our back yard had been stripped bare and was far too quiet. After the fence was rebuilt, we put up new two bird feeders and planted several trees.

I wrote today’s meditation a little over a year after the storm’s destruction. I was sitting outside one morning, and it suddenly hit me that many of the birds had finally returned. I remember closing my eyes and basking in their beautiful chorus. I heard at least three different sets of birds that were doing some sort of call and response using their species’ own unique pattern of chirping and singing. It was like hearing three groups of people carrying on conversations at the same time. I found it amusing and laughed out loud. 

Sitting outside on a chilly spring morning continues to be one of my favorite things. Wrapped in a blanket, sipping hot coffee, reading a devotion, praying, listening to the sounds of nature, and watching the sunrise all help to center my soul. I find that when I start my day with God while surrounded by God’s amazing creation, I am able to approach the rest of the day – planning lessons, setting up labs, teaching 147 middle school students, and mountains of grading – in a much more relaxed and peaceful manner. 

This year, it seems that here in Maryland we’ve had one polar vortex after another. Hopefully the one we’re experiencing this week will be the last of the season. I’m looking forward to later in March when hopefully I can once again head outside each morning to my tranquil, happy place. I know my students will appreciate it, too. Ha!

*********** 

Scripture: Psalm 148 (NRSV)
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike, old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him.Praise the Lord!

Focus Verse: Psalm 66:4 (NRSV)
All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.

Praise God!

In the springtime I love to sit outside alone in the early morning chill to sip a mug of hot coffee, read and meditate on The Upper Room message for the day, and then sit back and bask in the sounds of nature. Each creature praises God in its own way.

I especially enjoy the symphony of praise performed by all the different birds that live nearby. The orchestra often includes the loud trumpet sounds of Canada geese flying overhead, the high-pitched whistles of black-capped chickadees jostling for a place at our bird feeder, and a lone woodpecker holding down the percussion section in a tall oak tree.

Each bird has its own unique call, but together they generate a beautiful morning chorus of praise. Just like the birds, we each have our own distinctive, God-given voice with which we can praise God. Some people have the ability to praise God out loud for all to hear, some have the gift of quietly praising God more informally during conversations with others, and some are skilled at soundlessly praising God through prayer. 

Like the birds, let’s merge our unique voices and together share a magnificent melody of God’s praise for all the world to hear!

Prayer: Dear God, help me become more aware of the many reasons for praising you. Amen.

No comments:

Post a Comment