Sometimes it's hard to be all that You want us to be, Lord. Thankfully You know us well enough to know that, even if, even when, we fail at our attempts, we really do try to obey You.
When I look in the mirror, I realize that I'm so imperfect, according to what Your Word tells us. When I look deep into my heart, I recognize that my love isn't quite strong enough, and when I glance into my head, I see thoughts that are so displeasing to me...and definitely to You!
I long to be as perfect a human being as I can possibly be...without any negative thinking or judgements or sin anywhere within me. In my spirit, I wish I could go back in time, and erase everything I've ever done that caused Your death or Your disappointment. But I cannot do that, so You did it for me. What a wonderous love You have brought to me! When I was a wayward soul, walking far from You,
did You give up on my return? No...instead, You whispered again and again, calling me back to You. You tugged on those cords that held me to You, an anchor in my self inflicted storms. I took a beating in those days, but the Anchor held strong, and I wasn't left to drift alone in the life-threatening waves. You held on, even while I didn't.... and eventually, when I was ready to hear Your whispers above the storm, You told the storms to "Be still"... and I returned home to You, like the prodigal.
Lord, You are so good to me! How can I help but love You? I have grown enough to know that, and to desire nothing more than walking closely with You. Stay near, O Lord! And guide me as I go, that my feet would never again wander from the path You've set me on.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Snow on Me...
This winter I've heard many weather reports of snow and much grumbling from those back home who've had enough of it this year. They are ready for Spring.
When I think of the beauty of the snow I'm missing here in the south, other thoughts come...spiritual ones. I think of how the snow falls, covering the earth in a silent, gentle, yet effective, way. Isn't it just like the way You come to us? In a gentle, silent, yet very effective manner, You cover our cold hearts with a blanket of pure love. We are cleansed and our hearts lie under the covering You provide.
In time, the light brightens, the sun warms the ground, and the snow melts away. The pliable soil jumps forth in the blossoming of Springtime. Much like that, our lives are warmed by the true Light of the Son, and we awaken to a newness of living. The dead in us has been tossed away and the earth of our hearts has become softer, ready to bloom in all glory!
Thank you Lord...for the way You teach me simple lessons. Warm me, work with me, Lord, until I am fertile for the seeds You've planted. Then, Father, let me grow and blossom that the world around may see that I belong to You.
When I think of the beauty of the snow I'm missing here in the south, other thoughts come...spiritual ones. I think of how the snow falls, covering the earth in a silent, gentle, yet effective, way. Isn't it just like the way You come to us? In a gentle, silent, yet very effective manner, You cover our cold hearts with a blanket of pure love. We are cleansed and our hearts lie under the covering You provide.
In time, the light brightens, the sun warms the ground, and the snow melts away. The pliable soil jumps forth in the blossoming of Springtime. Much like that, our lives are warmed by the true Light of the Son, and we awaken to a newness of living. The dead in us has been tossed away and the earth of our hearts has become softer, ready to bloom in all glory!
Thank you Lord...for the way You teach me simple lessons. Warm me, work with me, Lord, until I am fertile for the seeds You've planted. Then, Father, let me grow and blossom that the world around may see that I belong to You.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Messages in Song
What is it that encourages us in our lives? For me it is singing old-time hymns. From the time I was about three years old, I've been singing hymns and Christian songs. There are messages in these hymns that reach deep down into the heart of us, if we listen. There are words of comfort for a broken heart or a hurting soul. There are words that uplift and encourage us to keep going when we're weary. There are songs to be sung of praise and thanksgiving to a God who knows it all and holds us closely in His keeping.
I know of nothing else, other than the Bible, that speaks so loudly to my spirit. Whatever the emotion within me, there is a message that comes to me in song. In the wee hours of the darkness, when sleep doesn't come, a song will play through me, soothing me as a lullabye, giving me rest. When there's joy unspeakable, a song will rise from within and float across the air to my ears, bringing even more joy to my life.
I am so grateful to those who have put their words on paper, with melodies, that hundreds of years later, I might sing those very words to myself and to others. What a wonderful blessing and a marvelous tool the Lord has bestowed to us in His gift of music to us!
May I sing to His glory every moment, whether audibly or silently within the confines of my heart. Thank you, Lord!
I know of nothing else, other than the Bible, that speaks so loudly to my spirit. Whatever the emotion within me, there is a message that comes to me in song. In the wee hours of the darkness, when sleep doesn't come, a song will play through me, soothing me as a lullabye, giving me rest. When there's joy unspeakable, a song will rise from within and float across the air to my ears, bringing even more joy to my life.
I am so grateful to those who have put their words on paper, with melodies, that hundreds of years later, I might sing those very words to myself and to others. What a wonderful blessing and a marvelous tool the Lord has bestowed to us in His gift of music to us!
May I sing to His glory every moment, whether audibly or silently within the confines of my heart. Thank you, Lord!
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