Psalms: The Original Hallmark?

Hallmark has made millions convincing people that "when you care to send the very best", a card is the perfect way to say just the right words. You can even send cards by email and cell phone now! Or maybe, you'd rather write your own words in an email, and just find one of those little emoticons for the emotion you're feeling? You can stick them in an email, or on your facebook to convey your tone. I haven't decided if our relationships are more superficial like the social reporters claim, but I am convinced that it's not due to any recent lack of emotions! Sometimes I think the psalms can say just what I'm trying to say, and maybe a little better than Hallmark.

I'm an emotional person. My passions run deep....shocking to those who know me, I'm sure. I don't usually struggle to find words, they're usually on the tip of my tongue threatening to fly out. (This can be good, and bad.) I tend to face problems head-on, I don't like excuses, I take action. If there's a problem, I'm on it. I want to live a problem-free life! God created us with emotions, still there are godly and ungodly ways to use them. Do you see where this may lead to some problems in life? It took a long time for me to realize that the "problems" around me aren't the problem at all. I have had to learn to take these "problems" to the Lord. God usually points me back in the direction of my own heart.....

Maybe this is why I love the book of psalms so much? I find that the psalms are highly emotional, and we find out exactly how the author feels! You can feel the passion! Some reflect overwhelming sorrow, while some beg you to experience great joy and praise with the author. Some are written from a heart filled with fear.... or loneliness. Some psalms are angry and even outraged! I am encouraged by psalms of gratitude and contentment but, I can surely identify with those written from a heart of restlessness and uncertainty. This book seems to contain all the emotions one heart can experience!!! Perhaps Martin Luther said it best:

"The Psalter is the favorite book of all the saints...[each person], whatever his circumstances may be, finds in Psalms the words which are appropriate to the circumstances in which he finds himself, and meet his needs as adequately as if they were composed exclusively for his sake, and in such a way that he himself could not improve on them..."

I thought of you Mrs. Barbara when I was reading Psalm 18, I was singing, "I cried unto the Lord with my voice. And He heard me, out of His holy hill!" I love to find words to my favorite hymns and songs in the psalms and usually mark them with music notes. Psalm 19 is one of my favorites."Keep your servant also from willful sins, that they may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression." Ugh, that's a tough one to pray. And one of my Mom's favorites, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer."

Speaking of emotions.....I find it interesting that the book of Psalms directly follows the book of Job. (As much as I like to look in the chronological Bible, that little jewel right there would have been lost on me.) Yes, Psalms is a wonderful place to camp for a while. I pray each psalm brings you and me closer to our heavenly Father, and in effect, closer to each other. We need each other, sister! So the next time you're planning a trip to Hallmark..........