he met me

i am learning a new way to praise the lord. "praise the lord" is commanded more in the old testament than any other commandment. but what is praising the lord? is it just saying praise the lord? i think that is simply the command, no the act. a friend explained it with this story... "every year she makes a german chocolate cake for her husband. he loves it. after he savors the last crumb, he pushes back from the table and says... that was the best cake i have ever eaten, thank you so much for that cake. you are a wonderful cook! in my friend's opinion, that is thanks. praise is when her husband says you are a wonderful wife. you are wise and honest. you are full of integrity." basically the difference is that praise is lavishing on the character not the actions. this is a new thought to me. since it is such a predominant commandment, it must be important. so, i want to learn more! my friend suggested using scripture to praise god for who he is, not what he does.

so, with this new concept whirling around in my head, i decided to give it a try in my quiet time with the lord. lately the lord has really been ministering to me our of psalms 144-146. so i read this praise to him in prayer form, and elaborated on the character attributes mentioned. it was really neat. when you spend time praising this way,not only does it bolster your faith, but when you finally get to the point of bringing your requests before him, they seem so minor- like a drop in the bucket! not, the big deal that they were before!

yesterday, as i was getting ready for the day, a wave of sadness and loneliness overcame me! i decided not to waller in these feelings. instead i took it to the lord- using this praise method. again i used psalms 144-146- praying and praising the lord as i wept. it was amazing!! he really met me and comforted me! some of the psalm talks about praising him despite my circumstances and praising him with my dying breath. it ends up being such a blessing when you praise the lord even when you don't feel like it! feelings can be so deceiving! when i was done praising him, i felt like the negative feelings had been defeated, and i was completely comforted and content with my situation.

i asked the lord for comfort and a friend. this is how he answered before i even left our building to take the kids to school... as i was walking down our stairs i saw a neighbor who i have spent a tiny bit of time with. she invited me over for tea that afternoon! not only that, but as i walked past our mailbox, i saw mail! our first christmas card! it was amazing! i was so blessed and amazed at how quickly and thoroughly our father provided for my needs. after i dropped the kids at school lucy and i went to our neighbor's house. we spent the entire afternoon with them (my neighbor and her friend who is also a neighbor). we laughed and cooked and ate. it has been so long since i have gotten to laugh and joke around with girlfriends! thank you father for your loving kindness.

the LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

the LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
psalm 145-8-9