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Yesterday began well, very well for me, but mid morning things changed.

Nothing major, just a couple of cancelled flights due to weather and “engineering requirements” with long airport delays before arriving back home in Christchurch mid afternoon.

It was good to be home, but the unwelcome and inconvenient changes to my plans had left me in a bit of a mood. I was happy to catch up with a friend briefly but I suspect they copped a bit of my frustration. (If you’re reading this and wondering what was wrong it was me not you. I’m sorry and let’s catch up again)

My mood hadn’t improved too much in the evening, and rather than opt for one of a smorgasbord of less-than-helpful escape options I followed a healthy instinct to pick up my breviary and pray Evening Prayer of the Church for yesterday’s feast of Jean Vianney (Curé d’Ars), the patron saint of priests.

I could have prayed spontaneously, or simply sat in stillness and silence, but I find it helpful to be fed the texts and insights that millions of faith-filled people around the world are praying on the same day, especially the psalms.

Last night there was all the food for faith I wanted and needed in these texts:

In God alone is my soul at rest, my salvation comes from God who alone is my rock, my salvation, my fortress, never shall i falter. Psalm 61(62)

In God is my salvation and glory, my rock of strength, in God is my refuge, Trust him at all times, O people. Pour out your hearts before God who is our refuge. Ps 61

Then the second Psalm:

O God, be gracious and bless us, and let your face shed its light upon us Psalm 66(67)

And the canticle:

God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col 1 12-20)

Followed by the reading:

Unload all your worries on to God, since he is looking after you. 1 Peter 5:7

Then I knew that I had made the right decision, not only to pray, but to turn to the formal prayers of the Office psalms and scriptures.

The entire middle of my day was filled with cancellations and disruptions. In the evening in my tiredness and frustration I gave God a thought, and God didn’t miss the chance to replace my cancellations with powerful confirmations of his consolations.

There’s a good daily lesson for me there.