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My 9-year-old son asked one of his profound daily questions at breakfast the other morning. “Dad, how come No. 2 pencils are like the best pencils? Shouldn’t they be called No. 1 pencils?” These are some of the deep mysteries we explore together over a bowl of Cheerios on a Tuesday morning. There are plenty of other questions about outer space and the vast dimensions of the universe or how far you can travel if you drive a Lamborghini at top speed for the rest of your life. While driving to baseball practice, he ponders these questions as he stares out the window from the backseat. He has an inquisitive mind, and it is such a joy watching him process and begin to calculate the world around him.

We all have questions about the world we live in. Each month seems to bring a new world crisis filled with complexity, sadness, and disbelief. Wars are being waged while the innocent suffer, and natural disasters are causing devastating loss. In times like these, when so much seems out of control, when too many questions leave my soul feeling weary, I find great comfort in reading the Psalms. In the Psalms, we can find hope and comfort in a God who sees us and in whom we can cast our cares and burdens. We are affirmed that God is in control and that He is the Foundation. We can run to Him in times of trouble and find shelter in our Father’s arms. In our doubts, we can ask questions and trust that our Father will listen patiently, even if it’s about a No. 2 pencil.

Reflection: What has you feeling anxious or stressed lately? What questions don’t have easy answers? Meditate on Psalm 94 and ask God to give you a renewed sense of peace amid your concerns. 

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