Carried – A Reflection

“Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.” – Psalm 68:19 (NLT)

The Day Dawns

The alarm buzzes with an intensity that shakes me from a dream of better things. I sluggishly jump out of bed heading to the alarm, wisely placed twenty feet from my bed, making sure I am definitely awake before I can turn it off. Another day has dawned. When I get up, I am not thinking “praise the Lord.” I’m only thinking of turning off the alarm. I have no idea what this day will bring; good or bad, both or neither.

Daily Days

Even on the best of days, work remains undone when the evening comes. Much has happened, bringing me closer to my goals and, at times, moving me further away. Frustrations, joys, disappointments, excitement, despair, and unbridled hope coalesce into daily days. I can plan my day, but my day tends to plan me, or remind me that I’m not as in control as I pretend to be.

Endings

I come home at the end of the day and fall into the chair, thankful that the day finally fades into night. Some evenings find me content, knowing tasks were finished, challenges addressed, and plans created. Other evenings find me wondering what went wrong and what I can do to get back on track.

Captured and Carried

This verse captures me. I wonder about the Psalmist. When did David realize that throughout the day he was being carried? When did he recognize that through it all, whatever “it” might be, he was not walking alone, but actually being carried? Psalm 68 is one of deep praise. David saw the wonderful works of God, where I struggle to see.

David also realized that God worked in his life. He knew God was caring him each day. He carries me as well…and you. No matter what your day, no matter how good, no matter how bad, no matter how close you get to your goals, no matter how many things get in the way and keep you from your objectives, you are carried in the arms of God.

May this day be a day of praise as you remember you are carried in the arms of a loving God.

Peace,

David.