One more month. I have one more month to decide my next assignment. Night and day, the plethora of possibilities swim through my head. Should I head back to Kenya or choose the assignment in South Africa? Should I attempt a study program? Should I be available to help my aging parents and adult children? 

I list pros and cons for all the varied options. I think about them and talk about them and constantly moan and groan about them. I email this person and facetime with that person. I worry I won’t choose the right one.

Questions bob like buoys on a stormy sea. Answers disappear into the deep. 

Then I read Psalm 5 and the opening verse catches me mid-moan: 

“Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning.” Psalm 5:1

The Psalmist wants the Lord to listen to him groan? I go on to the next verse, curious to find out what else the Psalmist wants the Lord to listen to.  

“Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.” Psalm 5:2

Not just his groans, the Psalmist now wants Him to listen to his cry. Is this how I am to show the Lord my love and adoration for Him? I read these verses over and over, wondering how my groans and cries could possibly please the Lord. Then my eyes land on the last half of verse two.

Suddenly, the focus shifts from my words, my moaning, my cry, to my King and my God. From me to God. 

Whether we’re undergoing a change in assignment or a change in health or a change in relationships, Psalm 5 reminds us to turn our gaze to the Lord in prayer. We love and adore Him as we humbly acknowledge our dependence on Him and our desire to be in a relationship with Him. We can give Him our groans, trusting that He truly is our loving Lord, our mighty King, our ever-listening God.