Thursday, February 25, 2021            (today’s lectionary)
A morning walk with Esther
When I called, you answered me, you built up strength within me. Your right hand saves me. Your kindness, O Lord, endures forever.
Oh, but Lord, it was not so easy in my mind before the conclusion of things. I felt so small. The woman you named Esther, made queen but now regressed to just a helpless child, holding my mother’s hand, trusting her even when I saw she was afraid and had no idea what to do.
Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand.
What a joy it is for you to be our Father, o Lord my God. My Abba, my daddy, my papa, your hand is big and warm and never lets me go. My mother trusted you, and I do too. My mama held me and protected me, and you hold me and protect me. You put words in my mouth when I need them, and you turn the hearts of my enemies toward home, away from evil.
Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness.
When I heard Haman’s ugly curses on our people, which he polished into silver words to convince my king to kill us, I was so afraid. For a moment I thought we were abandoned. But no, not abandoned. No, not ignored. You were always with us, and it was me who nearly turned away.
Do not forsake the work of your hands, O Lord my God.
There are prayers, and then there are PRAYERS. In our desperate hour of need we prayed and prayed. We believed you would rescue us. We trusted that you would turn King Xerxes’ mind away from slaughter. We waited for you to silence Haman. And you did. You did! O Lord, my God you broke the teeth of our enemies, and sang your song of triumph over them. Now my story will inspire our people for centuries and forever.
Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened unto you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
As I walk through my garden this morning, the Persian dust sweetens under my step. My king is sleeping, but I cannot sleep when the sun is rising. The air freshens in my lungs, and I rejoice! Nothing has been lost that matters. In all my life, I will hold this moment like a polished emerald in my palm, watch its brilliance in the sun, and remember your mercy, O Lord, recall your goodness and your justice.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to you when you ask him? Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.
O, would that all men and women would cease handing their sons a stone. This family of man you made turns on itself every day, and we break our own teeth on what we thought was bread. Forgive us, Lord. Remember not our sins, but remember your own faithfulness to us. And remind me tomorrow of what I know for sure today. Our God reigns.
(Esther C, Psalm 138, Psalm 51, Matthew 7)
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