A psalm of lament

We wrote a psalm of lament in worship yesterday in response to the flood we have experienced here in Livingston and the Paradise Valley.

Bellyaching to the Lord After a Flood
O God, our Wise One,
You are powerful peace.
You are a God who rebuilds, restores, and redeems.
You are incarnate, ever present in every place.
 
Why, O Lord, when we have experienced so much drought are we now deluged with water?
And why is that flood water so muddy? Why can’t it be clear water that cleans as it floods?
Water, which is life-giving in so many ways, now betrays us as it destroys.
So much destruction, O Lord.
The Yellowstone River, provides recreation for fishermen,
livelihood for many,
ecosystem for fish and fauna,
beauty and life.
The Yellowstone River overflows its banks with unimaginable strength and power,
It even carried a house away!
Destroying roads and forever changing the landscape.
Cutting off Gardiner,
closing the National Park.
So much destruction Lord!
Everything the water touched is impacted,
no small corner in a flooded home is spared.
Nothing can escape flood water, mud and silt stick to everything.
So much destruction Lord!
 
We need you, Lord! Fix it!!
O God of Restoration,
we need your strength,
to keep moving forward
little step by little step.
We need your wisdom,
to rebuild stronger and better.
Show us the way.
Teach us Lord. Give us perspective to step back and see,
to examine how we interact with nature.
Assist us in discovering how to live,
so that everything can thrive and flourish.
Help!
 
We trust that this too shall pass.
              That we will emerge from the fog that overwhelms us now.
              That the grief will be eased as we find new footing.
We have confidence in your presence
              and in your power.
We know that you are with us
              Remind us
Assure us
that you are here every moment of every day.
 
We praise you, O God of Restoration.
              We are grateful no lives were lost, no serious injuries sustained.
              We are lifted up by all the love, kindness, and compassion we see,
              People pulling together to help one another, whether friend or stranger.
We praise you O Lord, our God.
              O Wise one, Source of healing, and peace, and life.
Great is your faithfulness, O Lord.
 
-written by Pastor Patti Agnew with help from the people of Grace, Holbrook, Pine Creek, and Shields Valley UMC’s in Livingston, Montana.
June 19, 2022