A Prayer of Humility

These are the words of a hymn but let us try to look at them as the words of a prayer, a prayer of humility.

How deep the Father's love for us,
how vast beyond all measure.
That he should give his only son,
to make a wretch his treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
the Father turned his face away.
As wounds which mar the chosen one,
bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross,
my sin upon his shoulders.
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice,
call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held him there,
until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life;
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything:
no gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ; 
his death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from his reward? 
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart:
his wounds have paid my ransom.

We are those who's voice is mocking along with the scoffers. We are the reason the Father had to turn his face away from the Son. We are the wretch who has been turned into a treasure, into "His" treasure. Why should we be His treasure? Why should we gain from His reward? What if God is trying to show us His grace. For the bible says in Ephesians... "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." A gift of grace...? What a sweet, humbling thought. The bible also states in the book of James: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” So first we must let go of the grip we have on pride, and then open our hands wide to the gift of grace He offers so freely.

Simple Women's Daybook

Outside my window... the dark of night is creeping in.

I am thinking... I've never gone frog giggin'.

I am thankful... for the blanket of snow that gently covers Grassy.

In the kitchen... my plant is trying desperately to sprout roots.

I am wearing... a self-crafted ankle bracelet.

I am creating... a book of prayers.

I am going... to write a letter to a dear friend tomorrow.

I am wondering... what lurks in the shadows outside my room.

I am reading... the book of James.

I am hoping... to live out James 1:19-20 daily in my life.

I am looking forward to... waking tomorrow to see the daylight creep through the cracks in my door.

I am learning... slowly but surely that the Word of God is the true and only bread of life.

Around the house... everyone is sleeping as I listen to the quiet creaks of the house.

I am pondering... on the friendships that are entrusted to me. A true privilege. 

A favorite quote for today... "Am I a prisoner of what I've lost?."

One of my favorite things... is to go fishing.

A few plans for the rest of the week... are to meet my deadlines.

A peek into my day... Ummm... well... you don't get a peak into my day.

A picture worth sharing...

My Allie Girl

Delicate Words of a Psalmist

Why do You stand afar off, O Lord?

Why do You hide in times of trouble?

The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor;

Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire;

He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.

The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;

God is in none of his thoughts.

His ways are always prospering;

Your judgments are far above, out of his sight;

As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.

He has said in his heart, "I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity."

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression;

Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity.

He sits in the lurking places of the villages;

In the secret places he murders the innocent;

His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.

He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den;

He lies in wait to catch the poor;

He catches the poor when he draws him into his net.

So he crouches, he lies low,

That the helpless may fall by his strength.

He has said in his heart, "God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see."

Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand!

Do not forget the humble.

Why do the wicked renounce God?

He has said in his heart, "You will not require an account."

But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief,

To repay it by Your hand.

The helpless commits himself to You;

You are the helper of the fatherless.

Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man;

Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

The Lord is King forever and ever;

The nations have perished out of His land.

Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;

You will prepare their heart;

You will cause Your ear to hear,

To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,

That the man of the earth may oppress no more.