By Marian Humphrey
“Good News from a Leaky Pen”
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Psalm 23: 4-5, KJV)
It’s not news that starting with Covid 19, strange and not so pleasant things have been popping up right and left in our world and in our families. There are more illnesses and money problems and killings, just to name a few. Though our church is highly blessed, we ,too, have had unusual challenges. I wanted to glean from Pastor Amy in hopes of borrowing some of her continued vim and vigor and sense of joy, as she lovingly pastors us during these times.
So, I asked her, “How do you juggle it all with such consistency”?
Looking over her shoulder as she flitted past me, she boldly stated, “Ya’ gota know when to hold ‘em, and when to fold ‘em”!
That quip filled my brain as I pondered, “how do I do that”. I was led to visit Kenny Roger’s song, “The Gambler”, which prompted me to write the following parody:
Ya Got to Know ~
In the dark of a clubhouse
You keep on ending at a table
Seems dependent on the luck of the draw.
So, you got to know when to hold ‘em;
And know when to fold ‘em;
Know when to walk away,
And know when to run.
But you been dealt all the aces,
cause your dealer ain’t no card shark.
You know he’s never done you wrong,
He’s always done you right.
So, take a swig from his fountain;
Be fortified for the challenge,
Though you’re still at this table,
He will always steer you right.
Take time to count your blessings.
While you’re sittin’ at this table,
He’s put you in the winner’s seat,
Dealt you the winner’s hand.
He’ll let you know when to hold ‘em;
And also when to fold ‘em;
You’ll know when to walk away,
And there’s partners by your side.
As I re -read what I wrote, I was amazed at how much God was truly partnering with me in the creating. It was now clear to me that it was also a parody right out of His book.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Psalm 23:4-5)
Ah, that we all take time to count our blessings while filling up on God’s spiritual fountain so we, too, will be clear about what cards to hold and which to fold, as we with joy walk on through unusual challenges.
It seems so natural to hold onto thoughts and feelings I ought to be readily throwing into God’s hands and pitching or by passing the great loving advice God wants me to grasp and hold onto. Surely this season of Lent is indeed a fine time to thank God for the hand we’ve been dealt and ask him how to play our cards.
