COFFEE ON THE DOCK

Recently, an elder brother pulled me aside to encourage me. This was not garden variety flattery; he planned it for days and presented clear, precise, well-thought-out points. What a truly kind, thoughtful gift. Today, I will have fresh opportunities to promote, encourage, lift, love and appreciate others. Lord, in Your Goodness, endow me with authentic love; make me a source of blessing to those around me.

My wandering heart often strays into perilous terrain. Only God can safely guard my steps, only He will release my feet from the snare. While I have matured over the years, I continue to require daily supervision and assistance from the Shepherd of My Soul. I am humbled and filled with gratitude that all the ways of God are loving and faithful. Lord of Love, I stand amazed in Your Presence, lead me in Your path, I love both Your Rod and Staff.

A recent visit to a thrift store was overwhelming. A huge warehouse jammed with stuff old and new offers many opportunities.  However, an abundance of unexpected opportunities requires time, thoughtfulness and honesty about the true long-term value and use of things encountered. One of the most complicated puzzles in this life is to sort out the right responses to doors of opportunity.  Ambitions must be surrendered in submission to God's will and purpose. Father, lead me through the maze of my ambitions and help me choose only Your choices.

I can never walk alone, there is no place where God is not. While in moments of foolishness I may ignore His Presence, He will never ignore mine. What may seem beyond my reach is safely held in the palm of His hand. What is incalculable for me is already tallied by the One Who Was, and Is, and Is To Come. There is no cry He cannot hear, no pain beyond His healing, no enemy beyond His victorious power, no darkness greater than His radiance. Father of Mercy, Lord of Grace, You are worthy of all praise and majesty forever!

The image of God most often portrayed is one of an angry, disappointed Creator who waits for mankind to get its act together. I see a very different image in Scripture: a Father gleefully running toward the returning prodigal son, the Shepherd who briefly leaves the ninety nine to search the wilderness for the lost one,  the Loving Lord who sweetly looks down from heaven upon all my peril and brokenness, giving comfort and instruction, while slaying my enemies both internal and external. Oh the depths of goodness and unmerited favor of our Lord. My Father, Sustainer, Teacher, Protector and Savior!

I feel bad for my failures, but that is neither helpful nor necessary. Repentance is not simply a matter of remorse, as if God were exacting punishment by making me feel bad. Repentance is the belief that God has so fully redeemed and reconciled us that we can actually change. Repentance is faith in God's work, not our own. My Lord and Redeemer, hope springs alive in my heart, knowing that You will finish Your work in me by Your transforming love.

I saw unrestrained anger in an airport recently. It was ugly, painful. I am eternally thankful that God has expunged vitriol from my soul. Even the slightest ripple of hatred grieves the surrendered heart. I still get angry more than I should, but realize now more than ever what a protective gift the love of God truly is. Lord of Love, thank You for the powerful force of forgiveness. Strengthen my resolve to walk in love.