1. When a gale lifts restless waves,
I think of you, Lord,
Quieting the storm.
2. When a squall makes forests roar,
I think of you, Lord,
Marching in the trees.
3. When I’m dazzled by the sun,
I think of you, Lord,
Clothed in brilliant light.
4. When I’m overwhelmed by fear,
I think of you, Lord,
Pleading in the night.
References
1. He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm (Mark 4:39; NIV).
2. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you (2 Samuel 5:24; NIV).
3. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2; NIV).
4. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood (Luke 22:44; NLT).
My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death (Matthew 26:38; NLT).
If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Matthew 26:39; NLT).
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Thank you for my life, Lord, My exile here on earth,
For all I have experienced
And learned.
Thank you for my wounds, Lord,
My healing at your hands;
For all the care I’ve welcomed
And returned.
Thank you for my darkness, Lord,
My losses, and my grief;
For all the times I’ve laid awake
At night.
Thank you for my sins, Lord,
My sorrow and my shame;
For all the ways I’ve tried
To put things right.
Thank you for your gifts, Lord,
Your blessings, and your joy;
For all the fears
I’ve worked to overthrow.
Thank you for my home, Lord,
My kindred, food, and drink;
For all the ways I’ve had to change
And grow.
Thank you for your teaching, Lord,
Your pattern, faith and hope;
For all the sickness
I have had to face.
Thank you for your crown, Lord,
Your forgiveness, and your love;
My birth, life, death, and, most of all,
Your grace.
References
When I bring you home from exile, you will be like a pleasing sacrifice to me(Ezekiel 20:41; NLT).
Though he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes, but his hands also heal(Job 5:18; NLT).
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).
If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-4; NIV).
Be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies (Psalm 103:2-4; NLT).
God saved you by his grace when you believed (Ephesians 2:8; NLT).
My mother didn’t mean
To hurt me –
She simply had a child,
Then didn’t cope.
She didn’t have the qualities
I needed,
So I grew up with her,
But without hope.
She managed me
By trying to control me
With condemnation, fury,
Screaming, blame.
She damaged me
By pouring out resentment;
I ended up with trauma,
Fear, and shame.
But now you give me Mary
For my mother –
The finest woman
Who will ever live;
So every day I thank you
For Our Lady,
Who prays that we will heal,
Love, and forgive.
References
When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home (John 19:26-7; NLT).
They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus (Acts 1:14; NLT).
From now on all generations will call me blessed (Luke 1:48; NLT).
Hello, my name is Ruth Kirk, and I’m a Universalist Christian writer. I live with chronic fatigue, invasive breast cancer, neuropathic pain, sicca syndrome, chronic costochondritis and autonomic neuropathy. I also have extensive experience of panic, agoraphobia, depression and anxiety, both personally and professionally.
Whilst I’m waking up, praying, or carrying out basic tasks, I often have spiritual insights, which I try to express through short poems and articles. I publish one of these each day, praying for all who read it, and for all who don’t. I very much hope you will find something on my site that interests or helps you, and I welcome comments.
✝️ May God bless you today.
With love from Ruth xxxx