Sometimes, praising God is tough. Physical pain can make it impossible to lift a limb, let alone raise hands to heaven. Emotions might be anything other than joy-filled. And spirits can sag, especially as life with chronic pain goes on and on and on and on…

Today, I was preparing for the music we’re going to sing in church on Sunday, and was struck by how many different songs there are with “Hallelujah!” (or, “alleluia”) in the title. “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus,” “Alleluia! Sing!”, “Hallelujah!”, “Alle, Alle, Alleluia,” and so on. Songs that are fast, slow, high, low – lots of variety there, too. Yes, very, very different, but among them all is a common thread, praise for our God.

Finding your way to say, “Hallelujah!” in the midst of pain is difficult sometimes, but it’s important to remember that there are myriad ways of doing it. And, there is no, one “right” way. You can blink your approval of the beauty of God’s earth – that’s an “Hallelujah!” You can whisper “Thank you, Lord,” for even the smallest blessing during the day – that’s an “Hallelujah!” And, you can raise your head and shout, if the spirit moves you to do so. Yes, that’s an “Hallelujah!” too!

Giving praise to God is one of the crucial duties of we people of faith. Yes, our God is worthy of praise. And, it doesn’t matter how we do it – the joy of it is, we find a way, no matter what!

Blessings for the day,

Maureen