“I alone am left…”  (Rom. 11:3)

I was a rather amused when an American friend responding to my simple song about “My Trail” (Tune:  Amazing Grace) writes, “Hi Jorn,  As I sang your poem to the hymn (tune) of Amazing Grace..my dog Elko sat at my feet and my cat Goldie sat at my side.  They didn't run away...not sure if it was your verses or my voice.....”

I visualize that scene and must smile.  A very special “audience”, indeed.  A dog and a cat and their “mother”.  No special rituals, no special worship music, no special “invitation” to step forward, no emotional shouts, no loud “amens”, - ah, I think I see the scene, untraditional, unorthodox, very “human” if you will, and I felt honored to be a contributor to that short and funny “gathering” being thousands of miles away myself.

Why do I write this?  Well, the story kind of illustrates what some of us are often up against when we find ourselves at obscure places, away from the public, on a lonely walk in the open scenery with your dog, in a quiet closet, at the doctor´s waiting room maybe, or even ill in bed.  Who cares?  What story do we have for a sensation-seeking journalist to write home about?  Well, in this funny case, a dog and a cat cared.  But above all, the Lord cares.

I once called on an old preacher and I said to him, “I don´t find my life very exciting, nothing really happens!”  His wise answer was, “How much happened in the life of Jeremiah?”  His words have stayed with me over the years.

Does this make sense?  Do you belong to those who are in the habit of keeping a diary?  I´m not good at it.  But really, you don´t have to.  Your diary has already been written.  The book of psalms is your spiritual diary usually written in loneliness.  All your spiritual exercises, trials, feelings, joys, sorrows, doubts, etc. are there, the psalmist having no other “audience” than himself to address.  He does it with the words, “My soul…”  (not “ladies and gentlemen!”).

-jn-

Oct. 29, 2010.