Worship with me #33

Lord, it’s been a rough couple of months, but I thank You for being with me all the way. Circumstances have overwhelmed me often, leaving me distracted, clumsy, sleep-deprived, and sometimes depressed or fighting for a little sanity like a drowning person fights for another gulp of fresh air. But I thank You for Your promise to Your children that when we walk through the water, it will not overflow us and that when we walk through the fire, we will not be burned.

Lord, the waters have definitely been high, and not just for those in the flooded areas of post-hurricane North Carolina.  Spiritual, emotional, and circumstantial waters have also threatened many of us. But by Your grace, we have survived thus far! We are still breathing, and by Your grace we still have hope. Thank You for leading us, and for sending others to help when we just can’t do it.

I thank You, Lord, that even when my attitude has grieved You, You still loved me and helped me and treated me with gentleness and honor. Thank You that You are even now with me, that You’ve lifted me up and set my feet on dry ground, on the Rock of my Salvation, to have some brief moments basking in the sunshine of Your love. Thank You for reminding me that it is in surrendering to Your kind and merciful authority that I find peace, that it is in being grateful for Your gifts, instead of dwelling on all that has gone wrong or could go wrong, that I find joy.

I praise You, Lord, that You loved me long before I was even born. You loved me before Jesus came to this earth to save us. You saw me way back then, and You wanted me as part of Your collective Bride. You planned the heavenly wedding and the wedding feast; You paid the entire bill! There was nothing left for us (me) to do but say, “Yes!” and “I do!” Lord, You are the most precious Bridegroom ever! There’s not another that could even come close to loving me like You do, totally selflessly, protective and yet allowing freedom, always keeping Your promises, always faithful, never harsh or abusive, always looking out for my best interests, slow to anger, kind, forgiving when I offend You, ever present and available to help and listen even to my emotional or immature prattle.  Come to think of it, Lord, I suppose all of us sound like we’re immature in comparison to You, Who are the all-wise God.  Thank You that You humbly stoop down and love us anyway.

I bless You, Lord, for You are my Love, my perfect Soulmate, my Rock, the only One Whose strong arms are always quick to surround me for comfort and safety.

You are good, Lord!  Thank You for the precious smile of Your grace!