Dearest Lord

God has a plan for each of us, and he doesn't make crappy plans.

I have realized that sometimes, when I sin, I am being impatient with the Lord and his timing. When I break his commandments, I am acting as if there is another way to get what I want or need. In reality, there is no other way. Regardless of what I may think, his way is the only way to get what I truly need. His plans and vision are far greater than mine. Accepting that and living by his commandments makes life the best it can possibly be; for that is what God wants for each of us, that life may be as beautiful and full as possible.

Dearest Lord

Dearest Lord,

The Father of my soul,

I am sorry

For what I have done

again.

It seems as if I draw nigh unto Thee

Only to fall from Thy grace;

Only to commit the same sin,

            Over and over.

Thou hast blessed me so much;

Made my life a dream better than my own;

Yet, I am unhappy

Not with Thee,

But with Thy timing.

I lack the faith to believe in Thy promises;

To really grasp the blessings

Afforded those who wait.

It seems faith and impatience

Are pinned against each other.

To wait is to believe.

To sin, is to doubt.

            To settle.

To rely on the carnal now

As if, Thou doest not exist,

And it all matters not.

How could I entertain such thoughts?

Let alone indulge in sin?

I know the truth:

Thou art my God.

Thou hast a plan for me.

Thou hast the power and the means

To accomplish Thy plans.

Thou art pure and holy.

Thou art ever nigh.

Thou knowest all.

And Thou offerest salvation.

            Hope.

            Mercy.

            Redemption.

            Healing.

How can I lose faith in Thee?

For Thou art my joy and my happiness.

My joy is not in far off promises

Or even in instant gratification,

It is in the fact that Thou lovest me

And gave Thy life for me

That I might have life

More real and abundant

Than I had ever known.

Thou art my happiness.

Thou art my goal.

Thou art my strength.

I will no longer be impatient,

For it mattereth not

If Thy promises come today or tomorrow

For I have Thee now.

Thou art the true blessing.

On Thee I rely.

No longer will indulge in this sin,

No longer will I deny Thy existence

To satisfy this lust.

I will believe.

I will be Thy child.

For Thou art the Father of my soul.

Thou art my dearest Lord.

                 Jack Shirley