Context: Waking with a migraine yesterday morning, I sleepily started saying the Lord’s Prayer. But when I got to “Forgive us our trespasses”, today’s prayer arrived with a bang. I knew I had to write it down immediately, though I always worry because this means breaking off my prayer. Of course, I tell myself that listening and writing are just another way of praying, but I’ve never fully resolved this inner conflict.
Anyway, the background to this prayer is that I lived with constant anxiety as a child (and even as an adult). I knew that everything I did was being watched, and would be roundly and angrily condemned if it was not to my mother’s liking. It’s still very hard for me to grasp that God is nothing like my mother.
The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6; NLT).
You don’t wait to catch me out
In sin –
You’re rooting for me daily, Lord,
Within.
You don’t wait with rage
Till I confess –
You wait till I repent, Lord,
Then you bless.
You don’t wait
To punish my mistakes –
You wait to heal me,
When my poor heart breaks,
Because you love me, Lord,
And sent your Son –
To help me grow like you,
For we are one.
The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17; NLT).
References
God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple (1 Corinthians 3:17; NLT).
God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16; NLT).
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Colossians 3:10; NLT).
Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24; NLT).
The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).
The Rosary Hospital
Below is a photo of a five-decade rosary I made on Wednesday. Very daringly, it left home yesterday without glue. I’m deeply hoping it will stay together properly. If not, at least I’ll be able to remake it for the recipient.
your childhood was very much like yours. I dreamt of my soulmate Trev last night, and I dreamt that his spirit had engulfed me so much I felt so secure again. What a beautiful dream!