thanks be to God

thanks be to God for opening my eyes to true worship. thank you for your love that breaks my ties that bind. thank you for taking me just as I am. I don't have to achieve some level or understand just the next point to be "ok" in your eyes.

thank you for my 20-year-elder for saying, "strange how we've become the women we never wanted to be." thank you for that comfort. obviously they never wanted to become older and single...thank you for recognizing that I was pitying them and somehow looking down on them when I am no better. I don't miraculously have a better life lined up. I'm just the same as them. we're all redeemed and loved and have a purpose.

please don't let me become withdrawn and bitter. let me live each day to its fullest. each day reflecting your light and glory and love and life.

I only want to live the life you've got planned for me. I was to be obedient and submissive to your Call. Father, I completely give over to you my Reid fascination. I am no longer bound by a condemnation over each and every thought...when they come, Lord, I just want to bring them to you. Each and every one. I want to bring them to you, and only by Your Power will I be able to make small steps back into being right with you concerning all my thoughts and dreams. I am no longer held under the power of fear of the future. If Reid is the one you've chosen for me, terrific. You are mighty and you will make that happen. If Reid isn't the one, then I hand him over to you. I am not responsible for fretting or worrying or being scared of doing and saying the right thing to fit into whatever mold I think he has for me.

I am who I am, in you. I say what I say, Lord, and I want it all to be In You. I live my life, step by step, in Your Light and Your Grace. Help me become a Proverbs 31 woman. I want to have a humble, servant's heart. I want to feel Your Beauty inside of me and I want to reflect that to others.

God, please be in me. Be my first thought when I wake and be my last thought before sleep. Help me break the bonds of habits and patterns. You are the ultimate life changer.

You know the hair count on my head. Help me to trust in your will for the day and for my life. I honestly and truly only want to be in Your Will. My hopes and dreams are still alive and well; You know them. But let me not be controlled by them. Let me align those hopes and dreams with your Line. Help me hear your voice more clearly. Help me discern your Yes, your No and your Wait. And no matter your answer, give me peace and a hope for the rest of my days.

Thank you for all you've done. Thank you for how you're changing me. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for being a very real father for me. Thank you for your rules and guidelines and most importantly, thank you for your love.

Thank you for Hope. Thank you for Peace. Thank you for Your word spoken through other people, especially my friends. Thank you for bringing those good for me into my life. Thank you for taking the sting out of my bite. Thank you for exposing me to those I formerly scoffed. Thank you making me grow.