Psalm 1

“Are you kidding me?! Are you KIDDING ME!!” As I pound my palms against the steering wheel two tender voices reach from the back seat.

“Mommy, what’s wrong? What happened? Are you okay?”

How do I tell them that my fingers ache to strangle the handicapped driver in front of me who, for unknown reasons, felt the need to cut me off then immediately slow down when I’m already running late? Do I explain to them that if I don’t drop them at school (where they learn about God’s love and mercy) and leave the parking lot by precisely 8:06, it will take me 40 minutes of bumper-to-bumper, mind-numbing traffic to drive the 4.3 miles home? How can I lovingly make them understand that, while God has bottomless wells of grace, I have none?

Maybe I woke on the wrong side of the bed. I do vaguely remember telling my husband that I don’t think I like him anymore. This after he let me sleep in an extra twenty minutes or so.

Maybe I need to move to a less densely-populated area where I won’t be as tempted by road rage.

Maybe I just need to start my day earlier so that I’ll have time to allow every pin-headed, ignorant driver the freedoms they desire and will claim at will.

We started the Read with Me challenge last week. (By the way, if you’re still on the fence, jump in! The grass is green, and we’re having a party. Oooh, a PARTY!! We should totally plan a party when we finish this. Road trip anyone? Oh, how fun!! Who wants to be in charge of planning that? — Okay, tangent aborted. If you’re still on the fence, you should totally join us. You can start today and still be okay! Don’t go back to Day 1; Save those for your grace days at the end of the month. We have plenty to keep us from getting overwhelmed. Click here for full details.)

Again, we started the challenge last week. It has us begin with Genesis, Psalms, Matthew and Acts.

I’ve been a Christian for almost 18 years. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Bible. That’s 39 university credits just on Bible and theology. Then, of course, I took Hebrew as my foreign language and spent another 30-40 credits on missions and ministry classes, cultural anthropology and philosophy. I don’t say any of this to brag — In fact, I’m ashamed at how much of what I studied is now forgotten!

I admit all this because, when starting a program like this, my biggest fear is my tendency to just get it done. I like checking off boxes. I like being productive. On top of this, I have a piece of paper in my basement that claims I already know all there is to know about the Bible. I glaze over and take for granted God’s Word and whatever He may want to teach me through it. I am not an advocate of The Message, but I am forcing myself to read through it for this challenge. I need fresh eyes.

Here is how The Message paraphrases Psalm 1:

How well God must like you –
you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon,
you don’t slink along Dead-End Road,
you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.

Instead you thrill to GOD’s Word,
you chew on Scripture day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden,
bearing fresh fruit every month,
Never dropping a leaf,
always in blossom.

You’re not at all like the wicked,
who are mere windblown dust –
Without defense in court,
unfit company for innocent people …

“Unfit company for innocent people?” You mean, like my children? I’m “not at all like the wicked?” Does anyone else notice a hint of sarcasm while reading this?

This Psalm has haunted me all week, but it shouts at me today.

Lord God, make me new. I want to be the person talked about in this Psalm. I want to be revived. I want to desire You and Your Word more than anything else … more than comfort, more than peace, more than being on time or getting things done. I want You and only You.