Psalm 42 -- When can I meet with God?

If you get the chance to read this Psalm today, do so from the Message version.  The words don't ring as familiar when read from a book we don't always study, causing us to think more when reading.  The words and phrases are just as beautiful, but because we am not anticipating the next line, we think about them as we move from verse to verse, stanza to stanza.

During my yearlong sabbatical in the North woods of Wisconsin where God placed me for my time of healing and grieving, He blessed me daily.  Because the area I was living was near civilization, but tucked away in the woods, I had the opportunity to commune with nature daily.  Anyone who has experienced the loss of a spouse might understand when I say, "I never knew when sadness would overcome me. I could not prepare for the memories that would come rushing back and catch my breath in my throat.

It was during this season of my life God showed up regularly.  I would cry out to Him asking, "Why," quizzing Him on my pain and asking, "How long will this last?"  Inevitably He would calm my spirit and speak to my heart using nature.  The first year the deer were crossing my path daily.  I would be feeling low and talking it out with God and the next thing I see are 4 or 5 of His magnificent creatures crossing the road ahead of me.  Often, sitting outside on the deck, I would hear some rustling in the grass look up from my journal writing to see more deer just watching me as they grazed.  I was reminded of this as I read through Psalm 42

A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek;
I want to drink God,
deep draughts of God.
I’m thirsty for God-alive.
I wonder, “Will I ever make it—
arrive and drink in God’s presence?”
I’m on a diet of tears—
tears for breakfast, tears for supper.
All day long
people knock at my door,
Pestering,
“Where is this God of yours?” (Psalm 42:1-3 MSG)

I knew where God was that year, He was right by my side just waiting for me to turn to Him, to call out to Him and He would calm my spirit and heal my heart with white-tailed deer.  What does He use when you call out to Him?  How do you feel His blessings in your life?

Read Psalm 42 here

Listen to Psalm 42 here