O Lord, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. (Ps. 88:1)

IT WAS THE TYPICAL Sunday morning scramble to get the kids ready for church and out the door on time. Searching for the outfit my daughter just had to wear, I found it clean but still wet in the dryer. Matching shoes were in the land of the missing, and my son somehow failed to notice the oven rack with the tray of not-yet-baked muffins when he bumped into it. So much for our breakfast as batter went flying everywhere. Robbie ended up in tears as his sisters yelled at him for being “such a klutz.”

We went racing into church, late as usual, where we were greeted with the predictable “Welcome. How are you today?”

I could have told the greeter I’d had a miserable morning. And that was just the half of it; problems for which I had no answer had pressed in on me all week. Doubting she really wanted to know, however, I replied, “I’m fine. How are you?”

It’s all too easy to hide our needs from others. Sadly, we often try to do the same with the Lord. Foolish? Yes, since He already knows what we’re facing.

I’m grateful for the psalmist’s example. He didn’t play the “I’m fine” game with the Lord. Instead, he poured out his heart, even his complaints. He pleaded with the Lord. We can fearlessly do the same because He loves us.

Tell the Lord what you’re really feeling and expect Him to understand and answer.

Marlene Bagnull celebrated fifty-one years of marriage. She and Paul have three grown children and three grandchildren. She directs two Christian writers’ conferences.