Father, thank You for Your loving presence in the midst of all that has transpired over the last several days. From getting all of our family home safely, to Your direction in our remembrance of Karen’s mom, all the fellowship in between, and then getting everyone safely back home, You have been there! Praise Your name!

Colossians 1:15-23 (<<click here to read the passage)

Lord, You are supreme. You know me through and through, for You made me. You knew me before the world was created, and You loved me (Ephesians 1:4). You came to live on this earth so I (we) could be reconciled to God through You; that is Your sacrifice in giving Your life on the cross, took care of the sin that kept me from having a right relation with You. We made a mess that we were incapable of cleaning up – but we are the ones who drove the wedge between ourselves and Yourself. Because You love us, you took care of it at great cost to Yourself. We broke our relationship with You, we cut ourselves off from You, we thumbed our noses at You, we severed the link. You re-established the connection AND to beat all, in Your eyes – it’s hard for us to grasp – it’s like it never ever happened. There is no probationary period, no test to pass, and no earning back our status. Instead, You bring us into Your very presence. You who are holy made us holy, and if we have accepted the fact and believe in who You are and what You’ve done for us, we are “blameless as [we] stand before [You]without a single fault.” vs.22b

I’ve heard the concept hundreds of times in my life, but I sit here in awe once again as my mind tries to grasp it all. And to think You went forward with my creation knowing that all of this would have to take place to set things straight. All of this! I deserve nothing at best, yet You freely give me everything, and our relationship is as if nothing ever came between us, on Your part, with no hesitation, doubt, or holding back. Thank You is not sufficient.

Lord, help me to live my life with what You have done for me at the forefront. Help my gratitude to be palpable! May it influence everything! How dare I harbor anger or begrudge anyone for what I perceive as a slight against me, my loved ones, or my beliefs! Forgive me, Lord, for consistently doing so!

I pray, Lord, that You will continue sanding off all the rough edges of my being. Please make me into what I was created to be. Amen!

(June 6th, 2015, Sat, 6:54 am)
May 26th, 2024, Sun, 7:39 pm