I just found out today that April is set aside as National Poetry Month. Who knew? Well, I didn’t until today. That just tickles me because I’ve been reading in Psalms, which is a book of poetry, and I occasionally write a little poetry myself. For the last couple weeks I’ve been in Psalms chapters 120-134 which has this subtitle:
A SONG OF THE STAIRWAY
And I’ve thought about how these last few weeks I have felt like I’ve been on a stairway. When I think of being on a stairway, it is usually something I do alone, no-one to the left or the right. I normally don’t call a friend and ask them to meet me to walk up the steps at a certain destination. When I’m on a stairway going up, sometimes the top cannot be seen, and vice versa, if I’m going down, sometimes the last step cannot be seen.
I want to sing on the stairways of life.
There are so many workers that are on the frontlines during this season and I am so grateful for them. I am so thankful for those who are out there so that I have the opportunity to stay home. I am so blessed. It has not been that bad being at home; but, for “social Lora” (the way I’ve started referring to my pre Safer-At-Home self), I’ve faced some challenges with being at home so much. Or after reading this section of the Psalms, I might refer to this current period as my “Song of the Stairway” verses any of the other common names we refer to this time of social and physical distancing.
It helps to exhale the truth out and move on singing on the stairways of life.
The Psalms are rich in poetry about God or to God. The poetry in the Psalms is full of emotion, thoughts, and feelings. I have had some days recently that have been full of emotions, thoughts, and feelings. Anyone else? This book of the Bible is so very relatable to me during this current season because it is so very real. The writers of this book have their lows and their highs. I can relate to that. The Psalms include praise and delight and passionate worship. I can relate to that. They also include sorrow, repentance, lament, and crying out in despair. I can relate to that. I just love that we can be honest with the Lord and with each other.
I have missed my family and friends, church gatherings, my small group Bible study, my friends at Hidden Treasures Academy, in person visits, walks and talks. I have even missed going out to do work errands for The Salesman. Well, there it is – my whine on the stairway. The Lord already knows my thoughts and what I am missing.
The Lord knows exactly where we are with our concerns about current situations. He knows if we have loved ones that are alone, or sick, or continuing to work. He knows the struggles some of us face being at home. He knows our heartache, our sorrow, our loss. He knows that distance is hard. He knows every stairway we are in and every step along the way. He knows the bad news we’ve heard this week about two suicides in a neighboring county. I had a grandmother that took her own life and the Lord knows how tender my heart is toward these families. He knows that four women were stabbed in another neighboring county today. He knows.
It’s alright to be real and honest even if we feel that our struggles are not to the level that someone else is enduring. God can certainly handle us being real and honest. I just want to be sure that I am moving on from the step where I let out my feelings. I just want to continue taking the next step and the next step. Let’s not get stuck. If all the Psalms were stuck on just letting out feelings, we’d not have the wonder filled Psalms of praise, adoration, hope, joy, thanksgiving, blessings, and unity.
I want to be singing on the stairway.
Yes, I want to be adoring, blessing, hopeful, joyful, praising, thankful and unified. Join me!
Years ago, I did a Bible Study by Beth Moore called Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent and I found a poem I wrote March 12, 2008 – twelve years ago – after I concluded the study. I think it is applicable today, so I’m sharing it:
Take the Next Step
Be encouraged to be brave in Him and continue on
Sisters, remember the illustration of the fawn
God does not intend the mud to be on your feet
He has set a lovely feasting table and bids you come and eat
Lay down sin, let go of pride
Sweet Jesus has given His Spirit to be your guide
His feet are where we long to lay our crowns
We do not have to wear a foreboding frown
Run the race God has intended
Guaranteed Sisters, the finish is splendid
So on this pilgrim journey, take the next step
All we endure is temporary, His kingdom is eternal and full of lasting depth
Press on dear one, take the next step
He’ll infuse you with His power and give you the pep
Take the next step
Be in the Word, sow sorrows in prayer and praise
You are dearly loved, the Maker of heaven and earth, knows all of our days
So come on pilgrim and grab my hand
Together, we’ll take the next step, till we reach the Promised Land.
