Mothers and Martyrs, Pastors and Plumbers

She sends me a short text today:

"Psalm 16"

So perfect . . .

See, those words bring other words to mind.

Words etched on my brain in indelible ink:

"Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.

I said to the Lord, 'You are my Lord;

I have no good besides You.'

As for the saints who are in the earth,

They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied;

I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood,

Nor will I take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;

You support my lot.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

I will bless the Lord who has counseled me;

Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.

I have set the Lord continually before me;

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will dwell securely.

For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

You will make known to me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."

I've always been challenged not to take memorizing my Bible lightly because some day it might be taken from me. . . . but I don't know if I ever thought about how important it would be for me on days like today. . . .

Days my Bible doesn't get held open to my face as much as I'd like because of the crazy that's worked it's way into my life.  Days when laundry, grocery shopping, and trying to keep the kiddos from hurting themselves or each other take up many of the hours.  

Having Words of Life etched on the brain is just as important for the mother as the martyr, just as crucial for the plumber as the pastor, and just as necessary for the lay-person as the leader.  Because His Words weave life, peace, gospel, joy, strength, and love into our days like nothing else can!