Lament
What are you missing?
Lament – A passionate expression of grief or sorrow. A lamentation, wail, or moan. Mourning, weeping, sobbing, howling. Author and musician Michael Card notes, “One third to one half of the Psalms are laments. All eventually turn to praise (except Psalm 88). Lament is one of the most direct paths to the true praise we know we have lost. In fact, lament is not a path to worship, but the path of worship. As infants, we were “shushed” when we wailed, and eventually began to believe that to do so was shameful. It’s not.”
Card, Michael (2014). A Sacred Sorrow Reaching out to God in the Lost Language of Lament. The Navigators, p.21
Lament – A passionate expression of grief or sorrow. A lamentation, wail, or moan. Mourning, weeping, sobbing, howling. Author and musician Michael Card notes, “One third to one half of the Psalms are laments. All eventually turn to praise (except Psalm 88). Lament is one of the most direct paths to the true praise we know we have lost. In fact, lament is not a path to worship, but the path of worship. As infants, we were “shushed” when we wailed, and eventually began to believe that to do so was shameful. It’s not.”
Card, Michael (2014). A Sacred Sorrow Reaching out to God in the Lost Language of Lament. The Navigators, p.21
A Lament for Right Now
The sun shines through the dusty window
The cool breeze wafts through the open door
Yet... my spirit feels not high but low
How long will we be isolated physically distanced and alone?
When will we see loved ones again, and laugh without sorrow?
Will our spirits sing and dance yet again?
Is it tomorrow?
That will be the day of hugs, of touch of warm embrace?
Or is it months, or years or… is this a new way of life?
These hands once touched another, and felt the warmth of fingers laced
Now alone, and longing for voices of others to signal a bond of human touch
One feels the burdens of those before us and know the silence of one.
These miles between a burden
Yet the heart remains connected
And in this awareness there is pain
Connected and loved yet separate, together as one and a part
The love of others surrounds us, yet there is separation of heart and soul.
Feelings of alone-ness cry out, and swirling thoughts abound
Crying out to God for comfort
Crying out to others through ache and broken-ness
Crying out How long will this go on Lord?
And hearing …listening for the answer…
Longing for the embrace of loved ones…longing for the warmth of family
Gathered
Yet in this time…I hear the answer…be still and wait
For I make all things new…in my time!
“One final word, friends. We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1,2 – The Message)
May I begin the dance of life once more!
“I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: ‘Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.’ The Enthroned continued, ‘Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.’” Revelation 21:3-5
4832 Pondering…
What words are you using in your lament? Are you ending with praise? Or is your spirit still and quiet, more reflective?
The sun shines through the dusty window
The cool breeze wafts through the open door
Yet... my spirit feels not high but low
How long will we be isolated physically distanced and alone?
When will we see loved ones again, and laugh without sorrow?
Will our spirits sing and dance yet again?
Is it tomorrow?
That will be the day of hugs, of touch of warm embrace?
Or is it months, or years or… is this a new way of life?
These hands once touched another, and felt the warmth of fingers laced
Now alone, and longing for voices of others to signal a bond of human touch
One feels the burdens of those before us and know the silence of one.
These miles between a burden
Yet the heart remains connected
And in this awareness there is pain
Connected and loved yet separate, together as one and a part
The love of others surrounds us, yet there is separation of heart and soul.
Feelings of alone-ness cry out, and swirling thoughts abound
Crying out to God for comfort
Crying out to others through ache and broken-ness
Crying out How long will this go on Lord?
And hearing …listening for the answer…
Longing for the embrace of loved ones…longing for the warmth of family
Gathered
Yet in this time…I hear the answer…be still and wait
For I make all things new…in my time!
“One final word, friends. We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1,2 – The Message)
May I begin the dance of life once more!
“I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: ‘Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.’ The Enthroned continued, ‘Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.’” Revelation 21:3-5
4832 Pondering…
What words are you using in your lament? Are you ending with praise? Or is your spirit still and quiet, more reflective?
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1 Comment
Deeply emotional. I am reminded of the stages of grieving. Yet we have hope. ptl