Psalm 4: A Mother's Lament of Her Home

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For the internet world. To the Kitty Piano accompaniment. A Psalm of Abigail

 1   Answer me when I call to you,
       my righteous God.
     Give me relief from my distress;
        have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

 2    How long will my children turn my home into a pigsty?
        How long will they abuse the furniture and leave honey drips on the floor?
3    Know that the Lord has set me apart as his faithful servant not theirs
        the Lord knows about every fingerprint on the walls.

 4    Tidy up and do not sin;
         if you have a moment in bed,
         search your hearts and be content.
5    Offer thanks for the unbroken dishes
         and trust in the Lord.

 6    Many, Lord, are asking, "Who will bring us a new sofa?"
         Let me acknowledge the places to sit with you among us.
7    Fill my heart with joy
         when their laughter and new games cause wear and tear.

 8    In peace I will lie down and sleep a few hours,
         for you alone, Lord,
         make me dwell in abundance.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Very fine. Enjoyable to read as it takes the reader into the unique domain of a young mother's plight. I read a devotional today that suggests not to ask 'why?' in the midst of life's messiness. Instead ask, 'How can what I am going thru today draw me closer to my God'. David on the left coast.
November 13, 2018 at 8:32 AM
Susan Spahn Gaines said…
It was your fraternal grandmother that transformed my perception of nicks or scratches on furniture. She said, "I look at them and rejoice that LIFE happened here!" Granted, these are typically accidents and not always caused by children. We don't tolerate intentional destructive abuse. Dennis was the most uptight about maintaining any new acquisition's perfection. I could barely breathe when we bought a new Camry until, completely unawares, he accidentally let the garage door come down on the new car. Thank goodness; we can now breathe! And then there was the time my perfectionist husband who probably would never tolerate us setting a drink on the new cream carpet yet he set an open epoxy can on the carpet while trying to repair something and knocked over! I have to confess, that permanent stain was frustrating but it stood as a memorial to the death of perfectionism. I recall my pleasure at seeing your childish fingerprints memorialized on your parent's front screen door. Who knows what imperfections we might actually treasure some day? 💔
November 13, 2018 at 5:58 PM
ShackelMom said…
Well, I loved this! Please, write more Psalms! I just happened upon this, have you read it?

https://historicaltheology.org/2018/11/10/lucy-hutchinsons-theological-reflections-on-motherhood/
November 13, 2018 at 6:45 PM
Abigail Joy Stevens said…
Oooo looks good, Luanne. I would like to explore more of Lucy Hutchinson's writings.
November 13, 2018 at 7:51 PM
Ashley Emerson said…
So enjoyed this. It was funny but a great reminder. Sometimes, the greatest challenge to choosing peace isn't an army at my door, but the daily frustrations in my life! I always like to think of the grand battles and bravery, but turn up my nose at the self control it takes not to snap at my loved ones! Thanks Abby.
November 14, 2018 at 10:38 AM
Abigail Joy Stevens said…
Thanks for the reminder, Susan. I'll have to remember this when I buy a new rug.
November 14, 2018 at 7:01 PM
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