I’ve been going to Beth Moore’s “Stepping Up” study of the psalms of the ascent. I’ve really been enjoying the lessons. The psalms are short. Many are familiar. I can imagine the people of Israel, singing songs in groups as they head back to Jerusalem each year to the festivals.

This week’s lessons included Psalm 123. I’ve read it many times but something wonderful happened when I read it this week. The earnest request of the psalmist came through in a way that I understood… through my eyes as the master of two wiener dogs. (Yes, one more story about those dogs!)

Right before bedtime, my dogs start their routine. They lay their long bodies down on the floor in front of me, at my feet. They look at me intently. You see, night-time is our “snack” ritual. They get a spoonful (!!!) of plain yogurt with a small handful of kibbles right before I take them outside one last time before putting them into their crate.

Stretched out in front of me, they wait for my provision. Their eyes do not leave me. They stare. They expect me to move at any moment, towards the kitchen. If I adjust myself in my chair, they perk up, thinking their time has come…

“I look to you, heaven-dwelling God, look up to you for help.
Like servants, alert to their master’s commands,
like a maiden attending her lady,
We’re watching and waiting, holding our breath,
awaiting your word of mercy. ” Ps 123:1-2

Once again my dogs demonstrate to me proper behavior as my help can only come from God.

“I’m looking to You, the Lord of Heaven, looking to you for help.
Like dogs, alert to their master’s commands,
like a wiener dog awaiting their nightly snack,
I’m watching and waiting, starring only at you, holding my breath,
awaiting your word of mercy and loving kindness.” Kathy’s version of Ps 123:1-2

“Lord, teach me to keep my eyes on you, alerting to your commands, watching and waiting for your mercy and loving-kindness. Help me remember that mercy and loving-kindness comes from no other source.”

I googled stress tonight as I was plotting my latest (and long over-due) blog entry. I wanted to find images that might illustrate stress. I’m here to admit to you that I’m stressed.

Not with bad stuff.

But with all of the good stuff that everyone hopes for during their journey through life. Busy days. Exciting projects. Challenges to the brain. Expansions to the business. Blessings from God.

And while the good stuff kept being piled on me and I was rejoicing in the good new prospects, I discovered that my body reacted. I woke up one morning with pain.

Yes, it was in the middle of the great Google letter writing episodes. And it was at the beginning of important phone calls and emails full of RFPs. Contracts with big firms and oversight by attorneys. Agents and representatives. Big stuff. GOOD stuff. And yet my body took it all on as a “pain in the butt”. Literally. And yet not.

Like my friend Diane giggled, I had a runners injury without running. My piriformis and IT band were injured. From sitting? Probably. Because I was not working out. But the sitting with added stress, even from good stuff, hurt me somehow and I’ve been under the weather.

A visit to my family doctor. Six visits to the physical therapist and I’m feeling much better. I’ve turned the corner so now I’m not in constant pain. But it reminded me, that while I usually complain about stress when its from an icky trial, I usually don’t associate stress from good stuff. But I can attest to that now.

So watch this space. I’m taking steps to get some assistance in my office to relieve some of the workload, shifting it to other’s hands to free me up to write the proposals and talk to the clients and to take extra time during the day to workout, eat lunch with friends and smell the roses more often.

God is good. All the time. All the time, God is good.

Heaping. Pressed down. Overflowing.

His goodness and provision is praiseworthy.

I love it when the calendar changes to a new year and it stretches out in front of me like a road heading to destinations unknown. The thrill of the pathway. The excitement of the journey. The freshness of the new adventure.

Everything about a new year gets my motor going.

Today the sun was shining in Texas with bright blue skies and temperatures in the 50’s. Perfect winter weather to bring in the new year with God’s goodness written all over it.

Happy New Year! May God’s abundant blessings shine through for you this coming year.