Thank you, Lord...

It was a long week.  It's been a long weekend.  I spent this morning poring over the Psalms, feeling with David some of the anxiety and worry that he expresses.  I wanted to ask God why.  Why take the piano from me?  Why take what I love?  Why my HANDS?  Why MY hands?  But over and over, David and I drew the same conclusion: that His name might be praised.  Be still.  Know that He is God.  Take shelter  and refuge in Him. I know that God is good.  I know that He is faithful.  I can look the future in the face boldy and confidently, knowing that He is with me. 

Even still, today was one of those days…one of those "Thank you Lord, for water bottles" kind of days.  The days when I have to force myself to say thank you for things that don't seem good, until God graciously allows me to see His goodness.

That being said, here goes:

Thank you, Lord, for Sarah H. and her phone call right when I needed it.

Thank you, Lord, that I could type up most of my paper tonight without too much pain.

Thank you, Lord, for Sweet Peas from Hanover.

Thank you, Lord, for Cassie and a reminder that there are people praying for me, even when I don't ask for it.

Thank you, Lord, for an opportunity to grow in my trust of you.

Thank you, Lord, for this pain, if only for the fact that it drives me to cry out to you more often.

Thank you, Lord, for the great plan you have for my future, even if I can't see it right now.

Thank you, Lord, that I have 2 hands and can still hold things, write…

Thank you, Lord, for the Psalms, and for understanding. 

I found this quote the other day and I think it's appropriate right now.  Even when life doesn't necessarily make sense, I am still called to obedience and to a life that clearly, loudly and honestly declares my faith in Christ Jesus.

"I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me. My banner will be clear!"  (emphasis mine)

--This was written by a young African pastor and tacked on the wall of his house.

May the hard times of life drive us to our knees before the cross.  May we "cast our cares on Him, for He cares for us" and may we find shelter in the shadow of His wings.