Bird by Bird - Psalm by Psalm. Welcome New Readers

Bird by Bird – Psalm by Psalm

I’m still in the beginning stages of this venture through the Psalms.  When I look at the entirety of the book, I am overwhelmed.  So many of the same themes are repeated over and over, how will I ever come up with new sermon material for each one?  Was this a crazy idea from the start?  Who would blame me if I quit before beginning?  Who would know?  But then, how does any preacher keep coming up with sermon material week after week, Sunday after Sunday, basically repeating the same message of God’s love?

Anne Lamott in her book on writing, Bird by Bird, tells the story of how her ten year old brother was brought close to tears when confronted with the enormity of writing a report on birds, one he had put off for three months and was due the next day.  Her father sat down next to him and said, “Bird by bird, buddy.  Just take it bird by bird.” 

If I look at this task as a whole, it is impossible, so I will take it bird by bird, one psalm at a time.  Time passes all too quickly.  I blink and ten years have gone by.  Not that long ago I had started my position as chaplain at Vista Grande Villa.  Hard to believe over eleven years are already gone.  Hard to believe that my children who were just starting high school at the time, are done with college and married.   Hard to believe it has been eight years since I started writing my column for the Jackson Citizen Patriot – who would have thought I would have lasted that long.

If I take it one day at a time, one Psalm at a time, before I know it, four years will have passed and I will be done . . . far too soon.

For readers of my column who are checking out my blog for the first time, welcome.  While the primary purpose for this blog is to share the preaching series I am doing, I will periodically write shorter reflections like I have for the paper.  I hope you will come back and keep coming back.

Robertson, copyright 2012