yielded

Saturday, May 10, 2014 (5:27 a.m.)

Holy Father,

Holy, holy Father God. How I thank You. Prayers on Caleb's behalf seem to have yielded healthy results. He is awake. Responsive. And possibly soon to be moved out of ICU. Thank You Father. Thank You.

Thank You that we get to come before You with our hurts and hopes. Thank You that You know the plans You have for us. Plans for good and not for evil. Plans to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Thank You that our call is to trust You.

Too often I forget that. I fear circumstances. Get tired in the waiting. Attempt to take things into my own hands. It's only when I yield my will to Thy will that I find peace. Thank You for always allowing us to come back around to Your way of thinking.

Love. Forgiveness. Words that appear simple. Until we are faced with unsavory circumstances. Misunderstandings. Grudges. Obstacles that get in the way of Your Truth and holiness.

Thank You that Your will, Your Truth, Your standard never change. Thank You that we get to come back before You again and again knowing, trusting, believing that Your love for each of us far outweighs our sinful choices.

Thank You for the healing You do for our own good. Healing that is sometimes painful. Often in ways we may not understand.

Yesterday I yielded my position. Softened my tone. Spoke Your Word. Turn fully to You. Asked another to pray on my behalf. And You blessed me with laughter. Genuine, didn't-see-it-coming, belly laughs. Thank You Father.

Thank You for Your Word which reminds us, “It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan long before the world began – to show His love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus” (2Timothy 1:9).

Thank You that in turning to this verse I got to read more of and about Paul's last letter. “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (2:22).

Yes. Yes! Thank You God. “Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights” (v.23). This would have been handy to remember!

“The Lord's servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people” (24). Yes!

“They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will believe the truth” (25). Key word here being, God!

And isn't it exactly like You to do for me what I am unable [often unwilling] to do for myself? Right here in the very next chapter is a statement I made yesterday. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right” (2Timothy 3:16).

The Life Recovery Bible comment for verses 14-17 says, “Paul reminded Timothy of the wonderful resource that God has left us – the Bible. It is the ultimate guide to help us realize what is wrong in our life...” Amen!

I yielded myself to You yesterday when I recognized I was coming to a point of surrender. Thank You for reminding me that we are called to be holy in You. Thank You too for the opportunity to view the word as an acrostic. Honest, Open, Loving, Yielded. Things I have absolutely not been for quite some time.

Thank You that in yielding myself to You, Your peace immediately washed over me. Thank You for the way You work in our lives.

There is much to do these next several days. I am asking Your presence and travel mercies in it all. I love You so very much Dearest Dad. Continue Your work in making more into who You created me to be. Bless You. Praise You. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(708 words ~ 7:20 a.m.)