Election Night Psalm

King of kings, Lord or lords,

     Creator of heaven and earth, Ruler of all,

I am concerned for my land.

     The people of my homeland are choosing leaders tonight.

We don't seem to have much good to pick from;

     our choices are limited.

I want to ask for the leaders we deserve,

    but that could be worse.

The land is full of cultural Christians,

    people who do not know you.

They call you lord

     but do not do what you say.

Aren't we due for discipline?

   We have gone far from you.

We are called by your name

    but we make ourselves god.

We do whatever we say is right

    but never follow you.

Do what is best for us.

     Out of your great mercy,

Not out of our any righteousness

     which we do not have.

You are sovereign.

     Be with our leaders, regardless of who we choose.

More than that,

     turn us from our sin.

     Lead us back to you.

Busy Busy Busy

Back in the Saddle

I got back in the bike saddle yesterday, eighty-one days after the crash. The dam nearby doesn't allow cars on it, and it's a favorite for local cyclists for that reason, but I instead went back to the crash site. I wanted to see the bump, to approach it on two wheels instead of four, riding the same two wheels I rode when I went down.

The road slopes downward for half a mile or more to that spot. I coasted there, easing my way forward, letting whatever emotions flow through me that would. I didn't feel any fear, as I expected. I suppose that evaporated away a week or so ago. I felt more like I did when I approached the hospital room where one of Debbie's relatives lay dying. I felt somber. Sad, maybe.

The bump was not as large as I had imagined it to be. The pavement pops up at the joint, like a sidewalk does when a tree root grows and pushes upward. Mildly surprised at its lack of size, I left it, and rode into a headwind on the return trip. If I needed any more convincing that I didn't tighten the quick release enough, that was it.

Today was better. The temperature was just about perfect for a ride. My office sits on top of an escarpment that can be seen miles away, and I felt some of the old thrill riding down it. The back wheel flatted near the bottom, but even that didn't completely dampen the mood. I was out in cool, dry weather (for Texas and for me), I felt the wind in my face, and I had a spare tube with me. I sat down on the grass and enjoyed the sunshine while I changed the tire.

Down at the Dorm

We moved the oldest into his room last Wednesday. I was the first of the parents to arrive in the room. My first surprise was how big it was, but the real surprise was my excitement. I checked everything as though it was going to be my room for the next two semesters: the drawers of the dresser, the tiny shower, the closets, the window. This was a new adventure, and I was thoroughly pleased that my son was able to take it. The experience balances out the sadness of not having him around most of the time anymore.

Chin Rub

The oldest bounded into the room. “You want a chin rub from Isaac. And Sophie.”

Sophie is our cat. The thought of our feline giving me a chin massage overloaded my groggy brain. All I could do was laugh.

* * *

I am doing better. Two good things happened in the last two weeks. I went to an acupuncturist—really. Her needles literally made me drip with sweat, but by the time she was done, most of the pain in the ball joint had gone. Then last week the surgeon released me to ride again. I was shocked. I haven't yet got back into the saddle, but knowing I can freed me. I knew I could use the shoulder more than not at all. I didn't have to baby it so much. I got four workouts last week, and I did another today, mostly on the elliptic trainers. I am getting my flexibility back, the remaining pain is going down, and I am sleeping better. I just flat feel better.