“Praise the Lord, my soul, and don’t forget a single one of his benefits to you.” (Ps.103:2)
Heavenly Father, working on my balance in recent months, has underscored the importance of regularly working muscles and tendons I didn’t know I had in my feet, ankles, and lower legs. Alas, without exercise they atrophy and lose elasticity. But it’s true of other “muscle-groups” as well—those not made of collagen and protein fibers. Gratitude, joy, and hope need exercise and stretching just as much as our biceps, “quads,” and “hammies.” So, before I go for my morning walk, here’s to a bit of spiritual-heart exercise.
Abba, thank you for an over-the-top glorious salvation in Jesus. I’m hidden in Christ, standing in grace, and rooted in your love. I live as an object of your unwavering affection and co-heir of your eternal kingdom. Jesus prays for me, you delight in me, and the Spirit lives in me. Hallelujah!
With Jesus as my righteousness and death as my gain (Phil.1:21), you are shrinking my fears, wilting my whining, taming my triggers. Thank you, Abba. Thank you for my family—each of whom is more precious and in your grip of sovereign grace than I realize. Thank you for dear friends with whom to pray, play, and ponder the beauty of Jesus and the mystery of your ways. Fishing, repenting, encouraging, laughing, cooking, feasting, photography, music and tears are all woven into the tapestry of your love.
The things that hurt the most won’t always hurt this much. The things that weigh my heart down won’t always be this heavy. The Day of no more knowing and loving in part is guaranteed and closer than ever. The Day all things new is circled 7 times on your calendar of grace. Abba, you began a work in history, me, and creation you will complete. Whew! Hallelujah! And So Very Amen.
