Things are strange...but He is my righteous help.

I've been taking wrong turns, automatically driving home before realizing that it's not there. Carl says he does the same. And then I remember just a short time ago seeing the blockades with police and soldiers protecting our ruins. No one could enter without escort or permit, and then only during certain times. That was weird. When we smell smoke we remember the masks we wore when the air was too thick with smoke. That was weird. My thoughts are so often trying to find their way. What should I be thinking of? Does it always have to have this shadow? Are you tired of it as I am? Someone asked me if I was depressed. No. I'm not. But it's strange. We drive down Piner Rd. and see at the corner of Range a burned out truck and stores in charred remains. As we are forced to wait at a light, do we turn away or wonder with the kids what terrible kind of fire could do that kind of damage, and why do the wheels have hairy strands? Did the truck explode? Why are they not taking it all away? It's always before us, sometimes multiple times a day. So I'm not depressed, but I am trying to figure out what I should be. My sweet friend whose house burned down wished me a Christmas "as wonderful as it could be." What does that look like? Wonderful as it could be? Friends were sick, my aunt spent time with a bucket (flu...). Is that my wonderful? Yes, yes it is. Until Heaven. Is it any different now than BEFORE this? I still have myself to deal with, my daily stuff (aches, struggles, joys, pain, life....) to deal with, and the same God and His Word and His promises. Right? That hasn't changed. My mom would wake me out of my teenage sleep with a cheery "Good morning! It's a new day with new opportunities to serve the Lord!" I would moan. Groan. It's not different now. It's not my first inclination. I have to remember the basics of being a follower of Jesus Christ. To "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Rejoice, pray, thank. And again in Philippians 4:4-7, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Rejoice, rejoice, be reasonable, no anxiety, pray, supplicate, with thanksgiving, gain peace. It will guard my heart and mind. That's where I'm at. And today I read Psalm 71 (definitely recommended reading immediately, if possible!). These words are my prayer too: "Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come....But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more....You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again....And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long." So stay tuned. I hope you hear me talking about His righteous help more and more! For He is righteous. And my Help!