"just as I am"

Tuesday, June 13, 2017 (7:28 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You that I get to come before You

(7:52 a.m.)

♫Just as I Am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me♫

Oh, Blessed Lord, thank You! Thank You that I DO get to come before You “just as I am”. Sullen. Surly. And in so doing, find a smile.

With all of the synonyms that so accurately describe my current demeanor, it's the antonym that causes me to smile. Cheerful. Yeah. You do that. You change our focus. From circumstances, to Your Truth and promises.

(8:42 a.m.)

And the attitude just keeps souring.

Forgive me Father. You provide us blessing after blessing and it's the irritants that are getting the better of me. Turn me back to You. Deep, cleansing breath...

Or two. Or three!

Back to the hymn. Written by a woman, close to two hundred years ago. Charlotte Elliott suffered serious illness, pain, depression and a spiritual crisis as a result. Thank You for those who ministered to her. And for the Swiss evangelist Henri A. Cesar Malan who replied to her confession of not knowing how to come to Christ by saying, “Come to Him just as you are.”

Thank You for Miss Elliott's ability to 'meet and conquer her troubles in the grace of God'. Thank You for her decision to “gather up in her soul the grand certainties, not of her emotions, but of her salvation: her Lord, His power, His promise... and... deliberately set down in writing, for her own comfort, 'the formulas of her faith'...” (hymnary.org).

Oh yes Father. Thank You. Thank You that this hymn is found for me under “NEW LIFE IN CHRIST – REPENTENCE AND FORGIVENESS” in The Celebration Hymnal. Use these truths in me this day. I am called to repent and forgive. Do in, with, by, through and for me all that I cannot do myself.

I love You. I long to serve You. Wisely and well. ♫O lamb of God, I come! I come! Just as I am...♫ Make me all that You would have me be. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(359 words ~ 9:05 a.m.)

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