safely home again

Palm Sunday, March 28, 2010 (5:30 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

We are safely home again. Thank You. Thank You for time away. But thank You mostly for time with You. Mm. Yes, Lord! No matter when or where we are, I always get to be with You.

I confess Lord. I think I take for granted this privilege of being with You whenever or wherever I want. At the very same time though, I am grateful Lord! You provide every single thing we need.

Reading Your Word comforts and strengthens. Just now, a HUGE smile crossed my face as a near giggle of affirming truth erupted while reading about Your promise to Your people in Ezekiel (34:16). “I will seek my lost (I read ‘loved’) ones, those who strayed away, and bring them safely home again. I will put splints and bandages upon their broken limbs and heal the sick. And I will destroy the powerful, fat shepherds; I will feed them, yes – feed them punishment!”

Oh Dearest Lord. I count on You. I depend on You for strength and power and refreshment. YOU are the source of all hope! I read the commentary of this particular section of Scripture and I am once again buoyed and encouraged by Your Truth. “Even though… Jerusalem had fallen… and the people had no real hope for the future – God had given His people a promise that could be counted on. No matter what our circumstances, we can be assured of God’s constant care and concern for us.”

I believe this Lord. Truly, I count and depend on this! YOU are our hope! YOU are our future. YOU bring us safely home again. Thank You for loving us so much!

Thank You for the celebration of what this day stands for. Thank You for the remembrance of what this coming week means. You so loved each of us to the point of ultimate sacrifice - rejection, scorn, crucifixion, death – that our sins could be buried with You and we could live victoriously in the light of Your resurrection.

Lord, this is a gift of no recompense. I can never thank You enough. I am unable to pay You back for such an honor and privilege. Empower and enable me to live each day as the extravagant prize that it is. How I thank You Lord! How I praise and love You.

Thank You for once more bringing us safely home again. I love You. Amen.

(412 words ~ 6:40 a.m.)