by Rev. Foster McCurley
I awake at the dawn to its fingers of light
As I ponder the state of my middle-aged frame.
I’m relieved to discover no pain from the night,
Not a squeak from my knees, not a crack from my back.
I’m healthy! I’m happy! God be praised!
The sun cuddles all chilled from the dampness of dark.
The dewy flowers’ wrinkles are pressed by bright warmth,
While the birds chirp their songs, on their day to embark.
No rain on my parade is predicted to fall.
I’m ready! I’m happy! God be praised!
I perform my work well, once again I was told.
So my wage will increase far beyond my own hopes,
And the rising Dow Jones offers more when I’m old.
Today I know comfort, and my future’s secure.
I’ve success! I’m happy! God be praised!
I have friends who will tell quite different stories
About lives that are full in spite of their worries.
The word “happy” is one that they seldom employ.
In its place they praise God for the gift of great joy.
Always praised at her work, ever willing to try,
She was tossed from her job by some claim to downsize.
“Though I’m broke and afraid, and I’m ready to cry,
Our God loves me and walks with me, claims me his own.
In that faith I know joy! God be praised!”
By the crash on a highway one dark rainy night,
His career as an artist was swept from his dreams.
With still limbs he draws awe from the spectrum’s bright light
For the delight of lost kids who’ve known mostly gray.
“In their eyes I find joy! God be praised!”
Though her chair brings small comfort for legs that have failed,
And her lips speak of times that are far in the past,
In her faith she finds strength in the Man who was nailed.
“But our God took on flesh! God has taken life’s walks.
In that news I have joy. God be praised!”
Can I trust that whenever such days come to me,
When God’s absence is strong and forsaken I be,
A dear friend will appear to announce the “joy” word:
“You are now of one mind with the suffering Lord”?
On that day I’ll know joy! God be praised!
Rev. Foster R. McCurley is a Lutheran theologian and the author of more than 20 books. He taught old Testament and biblical theology at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia for 20 years, and later focused his theological insights on the church’s social ministry and its organizations. For the past six years, he served as theologian for the board of Lutheran Services in America.
