wanted: a ukulele

In times of trial, one always must - if for nothing but for coping - look for the lesson, or purpose, right? I am now in week 3 of seeking wisdom, resources, patience... in a circumstance that I would not be in if it not for another person's free will to exercise evil intentions. I have options to explore, challenges to face and much time to contemplate.

Today is Sunday. I was treated to a word from my God through scripture and a very meaningful time of worship with music. I left with the need to learn a new song, or to relearn how to sing an old song.

Psalm 27

 ¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
      so why should I be afraid?
   The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
      so why should I tremble?
 ² When evil people come to devour me,
      when my enemies and foes attack me,
      they will stumble and fall.
 ³ Though a mighty army surrounds me,
      my heart will not be afraid.
   Even if I am attacked,
      I will remain confident.

 ⁴ The one thing I ask of the Lord—
      the thing I seek most—
   is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
      delighting in the Lord’s perfections
      and meditating in his Temple.
 ⁵ For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
      he will hide me in his sanctuary.
      He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

I have, since our difficulties began, been only a little bit joking about my fear of our eventual dwelling place being that of a tent - and the unfortunate reality that a couple years ago our neighbor boy broke one of our tent poles - and a faulty tent at that. In the NIV version, verse 5 reads, "he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent". I like that.

 ⁶ Then I will hold my head high
      above my enemies who surround me.
   At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
      singing and praising the Lord with music.

I was just at World Music yesterday saying that maybe I would learn to play the ukulele... now may be a good time for that. 

 ⁷ Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
      Be merciful and answer me!
 ⁸ My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
      And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
 ⁹ Do not turn your back on me.
      Do not reject your servant in anger.
      You have always been my helper.
   Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
      O God of my salvation!
 ¹⁰ Even if my father and mother abandon me,
      the Lord will hold me close.
 ¹¹ Teach me how to live, O Lord.
      Lead me along the right path,
      for my enemies are waiting for me.
 ¹² Do not let me fall into their hands.
      For they accuse me of things I’ve never done.

with every breath they threaten me with (lateral) violence. 

 ¹³ Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
      while I am here in the land of the living.
 ¹⁴ Wait patiently for the Lord.
      Be brave and courageous.
      Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Sing, sing a new song! ....I need a ukulele.