Its hard (but a pure joy, sure) raising twins. The shift from REM sleep to consecutive naps isn’t easy.  But its worth it.

A long-standing practice I’ve tried to uphold is the office of daily prayer, or some form of daily prayer, scripture reading (often with reading from our denomination’s book of confessions (pdf)) and silent meditation. For the past six years or so I’ve used the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer as guidance, and followed the two year Daily Lectionary cycle. I fail to do it daily, but most often I hit four or five times a week. Its been a real gift in the midst of a hectic life, and even more so now with newborns.

Today’s evening Psalm is a wonderful expression of thanksgiving to God for God’s good gifts. I offer it today from paraphrased The Message version:

Psalm 138:1-8 (The Message)

A David Psalm

1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!”

Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
and say it again: “Thank you!”
Thank you for your love,
thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
you made my life large with strength.

4-6 When they hear what you have to say, God,
all earth’s kings will say “Thank you.”
They’ll sing of what you’ve done:
“How great the glory of God!”
And here’s why: God, high above, sees far below;
no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.

7-8 When I walk into the thick of trouble,
keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
With one hand
strike my foes,
With your other hand
save me.
Finish what you started in me, God.
Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now.