Lent 23

Lesson learned: do not try to Lent in a busy Starbucks.

I am listening to an older woman, poorly coiffed, of the long-term-bank-teller category perhaps, counsel a young woman who is unhappy with a boy. "He should appreciate you doing that...", "Being mad about that is a smart choice...".  I kind of want to intervene, and suggest this young woman find some better friends.

Maybe I should suggest Jesus?

I almost blew latte out my nose, just typing that! Can you imagine??

I kind of wish I had more of that kooky version of religion to give away. I am down with letting people know I'm Jesus-y in all kinds of venues - it's a bit hard to avoid doing actually. But to become a person who walks over to strangers and says, "Have you considered Jesus as a friend? He's probably not as bitter as this lady here."  Oh my.

And yet.  I can't help but wonder if these ladies too are thristing for God the way deer pant for water.

Oh, and what does it mean, "Deep calls to deep"?

Psalm 42^[a][b]

For the director of music. A maskil^[c] of the Sons of Korah.

¹ As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you, my God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?
³ My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”
⁴ These things I remember
    as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
    under the protection of the Mighty One^[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
    among the festive throng.

⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

⁶ My soul is downcast within me;
    therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
    the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls to deep
    in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
    have swept over me.

⁸ By day the Lord directs his love,
    at night his song is with me—
    a prayer to the God of my life.

⁹ I say to God my Rock,
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
    oppressed by the enemy?”
¹⁰ My bones suffer mortal agony
    as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”

¹¹ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.