When I Feel Like It and When I Don't

When I feel like it
    and when I don't,

        I will praise You

You are worthy of my praise

    regardless of my mood

       or my circumstances 

     

It may feel rainy

    and cloudy

        but the sun has not stopped shining

Sometimes it's pure joy

    to memorize Scripture

and other times,

    it's a discipline --

        putting in the time day by day

        moving forward step by step

        strengthening my muscles

        renewing my mind        

        learning new rhythms

        continuing with repetitions

            even when it feels...repetitious

        persevering through the hills and valleys

        memorizing on the sunny and rainy days of my heart

        

This is when the habit-forming

    isn't as exciting as it was on Day One

This is when it'd be easy to skip a day

    and then another

    and then a month

    and I'll look back and wonder how I got off track

You are worthy of my efforts

    regardless of my mood

        or my circumstances

So I keep plowing the ground

    of hiding Your Word in my heart

        when it's easy

            and when it's not

        when it's joy-filled

            and when it's not

        when I'm doing well

            and when I'm not

        when I feel like it 

            and when I don't