i forgive U!

My God, {Banner Over Me},

I know I'm not where I was, nor am I where I want to be. Thankfully I know you're gently nudging me along. This day, just a puzzle piece in the life I'm living until I go home. I'm so glad I have a Heavenly Father that disciplines me, showing me what a real father is like. It's through your Holy Spirit I can see those dark spots that still reside in my heart. Thanks God for showing me my failings so that I can continue to grow. You give me such hope. Thanks for blotting out my sin ~ sin my lips can tell you all about day after day. I want to obey you. I want to trust you more. My heart is honest before you. You know the words on my lips before I even speak. You see the depths of me and know I'm quite complex inside. O Lord, you are the only one who really 'gets me'. Through my transparency before you Lord, I'm able to leave my baggage at the door and walk freely daring to come closer to where you are. I'm covered, wrapped and adorned in your love, grace and rich mercy. You call me to be intimate with you. Let my life not forsake those sweet moments; the times when it is just you and I.

You O Lord have brought me a mighty long way. I was swimming in fear, not able to trust a single soul. My heart felt like an anchor at the bottom of the ocean hard, heavy and corroded, yet you flooded me with joy I cannot fully explain. You tickled my soul with a laughter that physically poured out uncontrollably. I laughed until my sides hurt. Such joy I'd never known until you. Oh Lord how you've redeemed my life! You've given me children who've already lived a better life than did as a child. I see your hand upon them and it touches my heart to see how you are moving in their lives. The next generation will praise you O Lord!

Each day I'm able to wake up with the wages of my sin blotted out, for through your death on the cross ~ I'm free. I'm yours. Yours to love, lead, mold and bless. I speak to you from the intimate places of my being. I wait to listen to your sweet whisper of love. I wait to hear your voice, feel your nudge and see the visual display of your affection. I don't think twice when I see a butterfly pass by my face. I know you are reminding me that I've been made new, made whole and beautifully unique. It's by your spirit I live. You have given me reason to dance and sing. You have put a tap in my toes and a skip in my step. HOPE. There is hope in my future. I put my hope in you.

You O Lord have seen my life unfold. You were there when I was in my mother's womb. You were there in my youth, even when I did not see you. You called me by name. I'm covered by your blood. I have so much reason to stand in aw of you my God! With each day, each season, each step I'm learning who you say I am {according to your word}. I'm taking you at your word. I'm holding on to your blessings. I'm heeding your instructions. In an instant, a moment I could never forget, totally surrendered to you... FORGIVEN. The day I thought I was giving you everything, my baggage, my pain, my soul; it was you who had GIVEN. And you keep on giving. The old me washed away {the misery, downcast, plagued with pain and suffering I thought no one knew ~ mess that I was}. Though my physical heart beat fine, my heart of hearts was battered and bruised beyond anyone ever loving. So I thought. I'll never forget the tangible hug I felt as you Lord wrapped your arms around me and touched my wounded soul. My face flooded with tears became dry. You reached inside me where no Dr. could ever go and repaired the damage done to my heart with one touch. The new life through Christ, {My Savior} ~ not of my own doing, miraculously changed forever. Surrendered all to you O Lord. My God how thankful I am to have a second chance. When destruction beyond my own comprehension came upon my life you heard my small cry. You reached out and pulled me up. You gave me air to breath again. You gave me a reason to live, and live abundantly, with purpose. No longer do I roam this earth looking for identity. I'm found in you. You are my God and I am yours. "I am the redeemed of the Lord!", my soul cries out. Saved through faith, by grace I am whole.

Life is not perfect, it still has it's ups and downs. It's better with you LORD of my life. My life is in your hands. I want all that I do to point to you. It's because of you I live. It's because of you I'm alive. It's because of your spirit I have JOY in my days. O how your love amazes me! No longer living in fear I tread the path of life with hope, trusting in God my Savior. My redeemer lives and I live in Him! ~ AMEN!

A little while ago Easter marked the calendar. To me it's more than a day. I believe Jesus suffered and died on a cross baring the sins of the world {mine & yours too}. Was burred and on the third day (Easter) rose from the grave. He is alive, seated at the right hand of God the Father. Yes it's a familiar bible story, but it has also personally effected many including myself; so much so that I opted to share in this unique way. Thanks for reading my personal reflection of Easter. Blessings!