Praise the Lord and sing loudly to Him – big songs of praise to Him. It’s only right – it’s so very good. He builds a beautiful house and invites all the discarded to join Him there. He holds those who are broken, He tends to each and every hurt they have. He points up. “See that star? and that one? And the one over there? I have named each and every one of them. Every single star. If I give attention to the stars, how much more will I lavish you with care.” He is amazing and mighty, and what He understands about each of us is impossible to comprehend. The place he lives is a safe place. Those who long for Him are brought inside. And He keeps the bad guys away.

And that’s why we can sing. Big songs with lots of thanks sung into them. We can grab whatever we can find and make happy noise. He cares for the biggest things and the smallest. He reaches over and pulls the clouds down like shades, He speaks rain to wash the earth and make her green. He prepares good food for all that live in His neighborhood. And He smiles when He sees everyone sitting on quilts, enjoying the day warmed by the light of His smile.

Oh thank the Lord for He is good. He builds strong fences to keep out the enemies, and He builds strong playgrounds for children with belly-laughs. His neighborhood is called Peace, and His street is called Blessing. And He sends out the invitation to all to come – it’s written in the sun and it’s written in the snow. It’s written on our hearts. It says, “come.”

Inspired by Psalm 147