But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more (Psalm 71:14).

I bought a car yesterday.

No, not because I wanted to.  I bought it—or rather, I began the multi-year process of buying it—because Coco Puff, our faithful minivan of many years and many miles, finally vroomed her last vroom.

Those of you paying attention to such things will note that this is the second car that has died on me in the last three months.  Add to that the dishwasher and the stove, and a picture emerges.

This guy’s infrastructure is falling apart.

Now, this is the part where I tell you that I’m not stressed by any of this, because God is my hope and I trust him completely and so should you.  This is the part where you look at your own circumstances, which may well be more difficult than mine, and take encouragement and strength from my bold proclamation of faith.

Except I am stressed.  Sorry about that.

Don’t get me wrong.  My faith isn’t crumbling over some financial difficulties.  I trust him; I know he has me in the palm of his hand, and not because he is in the process of crushing me.

Still, some days that, “I will praise you more and more” part is a real act of will, you know what I mean?

Yeah, I’m thinking you do.

So, today I will exercise my flabby will.  I will choose to rejoice in him.  I will choose to remember the many ways he has shown his faithfulness in the past.  I will choose to trust him today.  I will lift tired hands and heavy heart and praise him, because he is worth it.

Because…he is worth it.

Care to join me, Beloved?