Restore Us

Lord, you were favorable to your land;

you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

You forgave the iniquity of your people;

you covered all their sin. Selah

You withdrew all your wrath;

you turned from your hot anger.

Restore us again, O God of our salvation,

and put away your indignation toward us!

Will you be angry with us forever?

Will you prolong your anger to all generations?

Will you not revive us again,

that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,

and grant us your salvation.

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,

for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;

but let them not turn back to folly.

Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,

that glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;

righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Faithfulness springs up from the ground,

and righteousness looks down from the sky. Psalm 85:1-11

From Joseph's Diary

We finally took our boy to the temple. We had to wait until the Sabbath, so before the sun was set I went out and bought two doves. That is the price I was told. We went, anxious and overwhelmed by the crowd, trying to find the place where we should present out son. Everything is so strange and large here. Not like home where we know everyone and know where everything is. Here we ask directions and still get lost, as if people are trying to confuse us on purpose.

After many wrong turns and lots of confusion, two elders came to our aide. Their names were Simeon and Anna, and it was like they had been looking for us last night. They seemed to know us although I had never met either of them before. I would have remembered them, as they were some of the oldest, most wrinkled and wizened people I have ever known. But they both smiled and gently led Mary and I to the place of blessing. It was a wonderful moment and they shared their visions of God's healing and restoration for the world. They said it would come from this little child. Sometimes, I am overwhelmed by the responsibility that God has g8iven me. And sometimes, like last night, I am grateful for the outpouring of love and support from total strangers. We cannot feel alone when God provides support and friends wherever we go.