Calling on the Name of the Lord

As I await a new *semester* of teaching, I am working on a workbook entitled "Praying God's Way." (yes, this goes along with resolution # 3) So far, so amazing.
The last couple days must have been my monthly hormonal abyss days. Yesterday as I lay in bed contemplating not getting up (6 am) I decided to call upon the name of the Lord. A card from Colleen hangs in my walk in closet, so I grabbed it, and came back to bed. On it are some of the names of the LORD. And so I began.

Psalm 105 began my time:

Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; [the theme of the early chapters of my study--call upon His name]
Make known His deeds among the peoples,
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders. [ this blog is my obedience to that part!]
Glory in His holy name; [this part is worth some meditative time soon--what does that mean?!]
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad [amen!]
Seek the LORD and His strength [love that part -- HIS strength]
See His face continually. [continually is another word to ponder...]

The card lists the following names, and I called out to each one:

Jehovah-Jireh : Provider (Genesis 22:14)
Jehovah-Nissi : Battle Fighter (Exodus 17:15)
Jehovah-Shalom : Giver of Peace (Judges 6:24)
Jehovah-Rophe : Healer (Exodus 15:26)
Jehovah-Tsidkenu : Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)
Jehovah-Shammah : Ever Present One (Ezekiel 48:35)
Jehovah-Rohi : Good Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)

I thought back to the lines I typed before:..."discovered that to call on His name means to connect with all that He is."

For me to describe the turn around that took place within me is impossible. Honestly. I was lifted up and out of the gloom, and carried through the day. I have a couple long term to dos, dealing with my dad's insurance issues, that truly weigh on me (the continual care of all his details weighs on me) and later, at work, I made the calls and got the ball rolling on both issues. I tackled some lagging details at work, and checked them off the list. I remember a phrase that Gwen Shamblin used in the Weigh Down workshop: rise above. I was able to rise above a lot of circumstances and plow through the day. It was truly miraculous. God created such a big "pocket of joy" that I was able to climb right inside!

And so, today, I come to the couch full of anticipation. I'm late for work already -- Joe just went back to college, so I had to be here to send him off. I wrote him a four page mom to son letter and tucked it in his things, along with cookies, some coffee, some cash...all the "c's" that he loves. But, late or not, (actually, I don't have a "late" unless there's a meeting...my job is completely flex time...I am SO blessed) I'll do another page, read another passage, and continue in my understanding of calling upon the name of the Lord. It is the secret. It is the treasure. And it is so simple.

Next time I have a grumpy blog...send me back to my own words, k?