1 – Light, space, zest – that’s God! So, with him on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.
2 – When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive, Those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces.
3 – When besieged, I’m calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I’m collected and cool.
4 – I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet.
5 – That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.
6 – God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I’m headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God.
7-  Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs: “Be good to me! Answer me!”
8 – When my heart whispered, “Seek God,” my whole being replied, “I’m seeking him!”
9 – Don’t hide from me now! You’ve always been right there for me; don’t turn your back on me now. Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me; you’ve always kept the door open.
10 – My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in.
11 – Point me down your highway, God; direct me along a well-lighted street; show my enemies whose side you’re on.
12 – Don’t throw me to the dogs, those liars who are out to get me, filling the air with their threats.
13 – I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness in the exuberant earth.
14 – Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with God

So much of this Psalm speaks to me and to various times in my life when it felt like God was the only one who cared.

During last Sunday’s post Special General Conference debriefing session, with grief, fear and anxiety in the air, our very present God was found. With more people than expected (over 200 folks), gathered at tables and in stairwells, God was with us.  Sharing our hurt, holding our brokenness, witnessing our uncertainty, God was present.  In friends and strangers comforting one another, sharing hopes and naming fear, many left with more peace than we arrived.

It is in this place that we move forward believing that something better, something more just, something more loving is being born in our hearts and in our church.  I pray that as you move through all the feelings of this very emotional time, that you too will notice God with us, healing us, loving us and making us whole.

My prayer for each of us, for our church, for this season in our lives of faith is this: Because God is with us, let’s stay with God!  Take heart.  Don’t quit.  Stay with God.

See you in Church!