Refrain
"Ever walk with me Lord
Each night and day a rejoicing
With kindness the harmony, justice the beat
You've turned my footsteps to dancing
Oh Ever walk with me Lord"
Ever Walk with Me Lord by Peter Mayer
While waiting for the elevator to get onto the tram to get
in the line for security in order to board the plane to Miami, I took the blue
reminder slip so upon my return to Minneapolis I can find my car in the parking
ramp. In fact, I took two of the slips because I have the tendency to be the
forgetful or absent minded traveler. I have found those slips to be excellent
tools in helping me remember where it was that I was. I figure if I can get
back to where I was, then I will also be able to get to where I want to
be.
I'm intrigued by the idea of a refrain in a song. The idea
that a word which can mean "stop" can also signify a pause to go back
and repeat some lines is very helpful as we enter the [eleventh] day of our
Lenten pilgrimage. This lovely refrain in Peter's song is a glorious reminder
slip, especially if you've been "blue" lately or if situations and
circumstances have caused you to refrain from rejoicing. The
word refrain is derived from a Latin word refrangere meaning
to "break off" coupled with a hint to "repeat."
"Ever walk with me Lord
Each night and day a rejoicing"
So, I want to encourage you today to have Rejoicing
Refrains. In other words, when you are confronted with certain situations
or behaviors today, that you refrain, i.e. take a pause and go back
and rejoice. Refrain from hurting when you have been
hurt, refrain from those behaviors which are not healthy to you as an
individual or for the community, and Rejoice with the hope and
certainty that God walks with us on this journey. I suggest you hold this idea
like a reminder slip. It will help you figure out where you were and also
where you want to be. And in turn, it will also orient you in your current
position and location.
"He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does
the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk
humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8
Peace,
rtg
P.S. If you happen to miss a devotion, they are posted
each day at http://h2odevos.blogspot.com/
If you want to know more about the music of Peter Mayer,
check out www.petermayer.com
If you are beginning to take steps on increasing physical
activity, check out www.americaonthemove.org.
This is an amazing resource when it comes to counting steps.
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