Lyrics, Loneliness and Guitar Strings

What a crazy day. Yesterday too. Work was tough...got a good butt chewing. That isn't what we call it in the military, but I want to keep this PG so I'll say butt chewing. Yesterday's crazy day flowed over to today. I had a meeting; and though it went well, I still left depleted. I had hoped to make it to the gym to work out.

I thought in addition to working out I could work out my frustrations, but instead I was visited by an ole friend. I still flirt with her on occasion. Sometimes the flirtation leads to short visit-she always overstays her visit. Today, we quickly worked out the awkwardness and easily moved to comfortable ole friends again. My ole friend's name is Dee, for Depression and she's not an ole friend, she's an old ghost.

I usually like to sleep when she visits, but today we only flirted for about thirty minutes. I parked the car. Walked in the house. Let the dog out. Changed. Almost went horizontal on the couch, but I turned my head to the left, yes-turned my head to the left. If it were a movie scene, it would have been in slow motion with the perfect instrumental piece of music softly playing in the background. A cello. By the way, a cello is the sound of my heart...something about its melancholy genius. I love the cello. Bonus...my son is learning to play the cello (with no influence from me)...smile. Okay-back to the head turning left. I looked to my left and saw my sweet dog Jukka (Hebrew, meaning gift from God.) He truly...yes my dog...is truly a gift from God.

I am not a dog man. I don't like dogs that bark or shed or poop and pee in the house or eat shoes, but in this phase of my life - I'm very lonely and thought a dog would help pass the time of endless hours alone. So one day, the very day my assignment to Korea was canceled, I stopped by the dog pound and found my beautiful gift from God. He doesn't bark or shed or poop and pee in the house or eat shoes...instead he welcomes me home with his wagging body (he doesn't really have a tail...so his back half wiggles.) He is the perfect dog for me! God is good, all the time~All the time, God is good!

Today, he was truly a gift from God...my beautiful dog sat in the middle of my backyard and stared off into the distance...he loves being outside. The gentle breeze danced around in his beard. He's a Schnauzer and they have beards-Jukka is no exception! It was around 5pm and it was the perfect blend of warm and cold. Day was leaving (warm) and night was coming (cold)...then it happened ~ I slammed the door on my unwelcome ghost...who was trying to find a place in my living room (my heart) again. I slammed the door!

I SLAMMED THE DOOR!!!

Me-I slammed the door shut. I got Jukka and we went for a mile and half walk.

It was peaceful and lyrical. I enjoyed one of my favorite worship leaders, Misty Edwards. Her words took residence in my heart. I wish they would always live there, but for now, for this walk, for this moment...my heart heard this:

You have been so kind
So gentle, time after time
Of all of the years that I've come
You're still the one to whom I run
When everything changes
You remain the same
When all around, the world is shaken
You remain

So Holy Spirit come, How I long for your touch
I was made for the more
Than the things that so easily change
I was made to love You and be loved by You
I was made to love You and be loved by You

I ended the day here...writing this.

Writing, next to speaking, is one of the things I feel right doing. So ~ today ended here with Sometimes Hallelujah: Lyrics, Loneliness and Guitar Strings.

James Avery Tucker,
Saint, Father, Son, Speaker and Writer

posted courtsey of McDonalds, Midwest City, OK

(I'm not an editor...so forgive me when the words in my head don't make it on the page or when the English Major (turned Minor) isn't present!)