Category Archives: Kindness

Oh, For Goodness Sakes…Speak Life!!

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John 6:35

“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life…”

John 11:25

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life…”

John14:6

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life…”

1 John 5:12

“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Psalm 19:14

“May these words of my mouth

and this meditation of my heart   

be pleasing in Your sight,   

Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 34:12-13

“Whoever of you loves life   

and desires to see many good days,

keep your tongue from evil   

and your lips from telling lies.”

Psalm 37:30

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,   

and their tongues speak what is just.”

Proverbs 15:4

“Kind words bring life,

but cruel words crush your spirit.”

James 1:26

“Those who consider themselves religious

and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues

deceive themselves,

and their religion is worthless.”

Titus 2:7-8

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.

In your teaching show integrity,

seriousness and soundness of speech

that cannot be condemned,

so that those who oppose you may be ashamed

because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

Psalm 139:4

Before a word is on my tongue   

You, Lord, know it completely.”

1 Corinthians 2:13

This is what we speak,

not in words taught us by human wisdom

but in words taught by the Spirit,

explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.”

Ephesians 4:29

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,

that it may benefit those who listen.”

Deuteronomy 30:19-20

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you

that I have set before you life and death,

blessings and curses.

Now choose life,

so that you and your children may live

and that you may love the Lord your God,

listen to His voice,

and hold fast to Him.

For the Lord is your life,

and He will give you many years in the land

He swore to give to your fathers,

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Amen!

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Every Little Thing You Do…

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Really Does Matter To God!!

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1 Corinthians 10:31

“So whether you eat or drink

or whatever you do,

do it all for the glory of God.”

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1Peter 4:10

“Each of you

should use whatever gift you have received

to serve others,

as faithful stewards

of God’s grace in its various forms.”

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Colossians 3:17

“And whatever you do,

whether in word or deed,

do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

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Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s handiwork,

created in Christ Jesus

to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

You’re picking up toys on the living room floor
for the 15th time today
Matching up socks and sweeping up lost
Cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips
and head out the door
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
Well let me remind you it all matters just as long as you

Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
‘Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of Grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do

Maybe you’re that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name
You may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day

Little stuff, big stuff, in between stuff
God sees it all the same
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
Well let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
‘Cause He made you
To do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of Grace with every move that you make
And every little thing that you do

Well, maybe you’re sitting in math class
Maybe on a mission in the Congo
Maybe you’re working at the office
Singing along with the radio
Maybe you’re dining at a five star
Or feeding orphans in Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere you are
Whatever you do it all matters
So do what you do and don’t ever forget to do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
‘Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of Grace as you do
Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
‘Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of Grace with every move that you make
And every little thing that you do
Every little thing you do

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This includes every Mom– smiling while wiping off the highchair, and the floor around it, yet AGAIN!!

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This includes every Teacher-cheerfully, reminding kids ONCE AGAIN to be kind to each other!

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This includes every Dad-happily playing with the kids, even AFTER a tough day at work!

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This includes every Waiter/Waitress/Salesperson/Cashier-being patient EVERY DAY with difficult customers!

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This includes every Student-Doing well in school, even when they’d rather be ANYWHERE else!

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This includes-WHOEVER YOU ARE

 And WHATEVER YOU DO

For the GOD WHO MADE YOU!

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This Includes YOU!

And EVERY LITTLE THING YOU DO

For THE GLORY OF GOD!! 

Amen!

There’s A 23 Year-Old Man Living In Our House!!

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Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

1 Timothy 4:12

“Don’t let anyone look down on you

because you are young,

but set an example for the believers in speech,

in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

My son will be 23 years-old on Labor Day!

We celebrated his Birthday today…

Because he’ll be away for his Birthday weekend…

That’s what happens when they grow up…

They do things independently of their parents!!

Happy Birthday, Casey!

We love you!

All God’s Blessings!

How did those years go by soooo fast?!?!

You’re an amazing gift from God to us!!

Here’s my prayer for you!!

That you will build your life…

And future home of your own…

On the strong foundation of Jesus Christ!

So you can lead!

Isaiah 54:13

“All your children will be taught by the Lord,   

and great will be their peace.” 

2 Timothy 3:14-15

“But as for you,

continue in what you have learned

and have become convinced of,

because you know those from whom you learned it, 

and how from infancy

you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Here’s a link to Holley Gerth’s blog post today:

http://holleygerth.com/when-god-changes-your-plans-an-infertility-update/

Please read it…

Be prepared to cry and rejoice!!

Here’s my comment to her:

Holley, I read this post this morning…

As we were getting ready to celebrate my son’s 23rd Birthday…

We did the 10-year “infertility roller-coaster” years ago to have him…

I had him when I was 41…

He’s the light of our lives…

And our gift from God!

There was a point where we came to the same moment you and your husband came to…

We were only going to be able to afford one more round of in-vitro…

and my very blunt Mom said to me,

“Maybe it’s not God’s will for you to have a child!”

That shocked me…

I stopped in my tracks thinking about it!!

Then, I knew I believed that it WAS God’s will for me to have a child!

We had a miscarriage before my son,

Lost the other two embryos that were transferred with him,

And had a miscarriage after him!!

Though I wanted all those babies we lost,

I know I’ll see them in Heaven!

Now I direct a Drama Team at church,

And I’m “Drama Mama” to so many kids, teens, and young adults!!

God is so good!!

We each need to ask God the hard questions as you did…

And His answers are the BEST for our lives!

May God richly bless you always!!”

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The Birthday Boy  Man!!!

That face always makes me smile!!!!

Proverbs 1:8

“Listen, my son,

to your father’s instruction   

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

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Father and Son!

Proverbs 29:17

“Correct thy son,

and he shall give thee rest;

yea,

he shall give delight unto thy soul.”

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My son makes “Mothering” so easy and lots of fun!!

Psalm 127:3

“Children are a heritage from the Lord,   

offspring a reward from Him.

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Yeah!!

Birthday money to buy stuff!!!

John 16:21

“A woman giving birth to a child

has pain because her time has come;

but when her baby is born

she forgets the anguish

because of her joy

that a child is born into the world.”

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We brought our Precious Little Girl…

  A chewy treat from Petco on our way home from Outback…

Obviously, she cares more about that treat…

Than taking a Birthday photo with Casey!!

Proverbs 3:1-6

“My son, do not forget My teaching,
    but keep My commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
    and He will make your paths straight.”

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It’s so hard to get a good photo of our Crazy Siberian…

‘Cause she’s constantly moving…

That’s why I love landscape photography…

Most things stand still!!

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test

and approve what God’s will is—

His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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My two “Babies!”

He always smiles…

She’s smiling…

But she still has the chewy  treat in her mouth!

She always thinks we’re going to take it from her!!

What would we want with that yucky chewy???

James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift

is from above,

coming down from the Father of the Heavenly Lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Psalm 115:14

“May the Lord cause you to flourish,   

both you and your children.”

Deuteronomy 4:9

“Only be careful,

and watch yourselves closely

so that you do not forget

the things your eyes have seen

or let them fade from your heart

as long as you live.

Teach them to your children

and to their children after them.”

Jesus I pray…

-Your Word will prevail over our children…

-Your Peace will embrace them… 

-They seek Your Wisdom and Understanding …

-They’re quick to obey You…

-They’re Holy in all conduct…

-They hunger and thirst for more of You each day…

-They’re content with what they have… 

-They grow in the grace and knowledge of You, Lord…

-They’re clothed with humility…

-They cast their cares upon You, Father, for You care for them…

-They’re doers of the Word, and not hearers only…

-They learn to effectively share their faith…   

-They don’t have a spirit of fear…

-But of power, love, and a sound mind…

-You save them…

-You call them with a Holy Calling…

-You provide safety for them, day and night…

  -They walk in the Light as You are in the Light…

-You purify their hearts…

-They follow after righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

-They have favor and high esteem with God and man.

Amen!

2 Timothy 2:22-25

“Run from temptations that capture young people.

Always do the right thing.

Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with.

Worship with people whose hearts are pure. 

Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments.

These only lead to trouble, 

and God’s servants must not be troublemakers.

They must be kind to everyone,

and they must be good teachers and very patient.

Be humble when you correct people who oppose you.

Maybe God will lead them to turn to Him and learn the truth.”

Casey, you are all these things…

Praise the Lord!

God did a great job raising you!!

Thank you everyone who prayed with us…

All those long years of waiting…

For God to give us the desire of our hearts!

Happy Birthday, You are Loved!

Speak The Truth In Love!

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I reblogged this from Holley Gerth’s blog…please check out her entire blog!!

When You Really Want to Be Heard

photo by vl8189

photo by vl8189

Next time you’re afraid you won’t be heard, try this secret weapon: gentleness.

A gentle tongue can break a bone. {Prov. 25:15}

Lower your voice.

Speak a bit softer.

Look into someone’s eyes a little longer.

Yes, speak truth…just do it in love.

It’s fear that makes us respond with harshness–fear that we won’t be heard, that we’ll lose control, that we’ll be overlooked.

And so we fight with the sword of our tongues and wound those who love us.

Gentleness is powerful, friend. And it takes great courage to use it. But you’re brave enough to try it. I know it.

Our world needs more people who dare to be gentle. People like you.

They’re actually the strongest of all.

XOXO

Holley

Friendship Is A Beautiful Thing!!

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My dear friend, her family, and their dog traveled this summer to…

Door County, Wisconsin…

Let’s take a look at her beautiful photos!!

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Ahhhh…peace and quiet!!

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I see their dog feel’s right at home!!

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She snapped this photo for me…

The Italian!!

So I’d feel welcome, too!

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I love this beautiful 4th of July floral arrangement!!

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Vibrant colors in a background of lush green!!

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Deep purple…

The color of royalty!!

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Lilac-colored lollipop flowers???

Can we blow on these???

Or run with them in the wind???

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Cotton Candy, anyone???

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Pick me a big bouquet!!!

Genesis 1:31

“God saw all that He had made,

and it was very good…”

2 Corinthians 13:11

 “Finally, brothers and sisters,

rejoice!

Strive for full restoration,

encourage one another,

be of one mind,

live in peace.

And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Amen!

My One Year Blog-A-Versary!! July ’13

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How should I celebrate my…

Entrance into the blogosphere???

I’m going to first of all thank my son…

For thinking of it…

Setting everything up for me…

Supporting me…

Mentioning me on FB…

And constantly answering my technical questions!!

And…

I’m going to let him…

Post whatever he wants!!!

So here goes!!!

So my Mother, the very same one you all so love for her blog posts,

wanted me to write something for her “Blog-A-Versary.”

I told her I didn’t think that was a real thing

to which she replied “Well, I’m making it a thing.”

Thus, her Blog-A-Versary was born.

She instructed me to have some sort of guest post written by the beginning of July,

so she would have time to “get it ready for my Blog-A-Versary” [sic]

I asked when she REALLY needed it by (myself being a procrastinator)

and her answer was a hard deadline of July 13th her actual Blog-A-Versary (or so she claims).

Enough backstory.

Here I sit, proudly, on July 14th, to compose a special guest post for my beloved Mom. 

She is, as I’m sure you all have found out, sort of a strange one,

but endearing.

I always get questions from her about how WordPress works (much to my chagrin)

and the ways of computers.

I’ve become the unofficial tech support for my family, friends, and half my neighborhood.

My Mother, at least, learns.

Some people just don’t know how to take instructions.

*Sigh*

But she’s so supportive in all the crazy things I do,

I’d be a super-jerk-face not to help with her blog-o-things.

Enough backstory.

Here I sit, proudly, on July 14th, to compose a special guest post for my beloved Mom. 

One thing I wanted to talk about real quick is the difference between hating sin and hating the sinner.

This is something that’s really bothered me a lot recently.

As a Christian, there are certainly things that people do that I don’t agree with.

I’m not going to specifics chiefly because my opinion of what’s right and wrong doesn’t matter.

But what I’m talking about is not a religious thing.

What I see so much in the world now is people hating people.

Now, seriously guys?

That’s not cool.

I completely understand disagreeing with someone’s opinions,

but that’s no reason to shun the person.

It’s not my place to judge people.

It’s not my place to condemn anyone or to speak ill of them.

It is, however, my place to be kind to everyone.

Everyone has the right to make their own choices on what they’re going to believe in (or not believe in).

I can tell people my beliefs and explain them if they want,

but I can’t hate them for anything they believe.

Everyone’s done things they’re not proud of;

everyone’s messed up in the past.

What’s normal to some is not normal to everyone.

Keeping a person down and trying to make their life tougher

to try to “scare” them into agreeing with you

is no way to make an argument for your case.

You really want someone to share your opinion?

Awesome.

Being mean is a horrible way to get your point across.

I’m talking to everyone here,

whoever you are

and however you choose to identify yourself.

All I’m saying is that people are still people,

no matter what.

If you think they’re wrong?

Yup, they’re still people.

If you completely disagree with how a complete stranger

chooses to live his/her life?

NEWSFLASH!

That’s still a person.

Take a step back

and try to put yourself in their shoes.

If you still can’t see eye to eye,

you can still be friends,

you can still be courteous.

Just because someone disagrees with you,

they’re not automatically an enemy.

So hey, everyone, just chill out a little.

As a wise woman (my Mother of course) once said to me,

“If it’s not life and death,

it’s not life and death.

Don’t worry about it.”

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Fly little bird…

Fly!!

Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other,

just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Colossians 3:12

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people,

holy and dearly loved,

clothe yourselves with compassion,

kindness, humility,

gentleness and patience.”

1 Peter 3:9

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.

On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,

because to this you were called

so that you may inherit a blessing.”

Amen!!

The LOVE Letter!

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(I received this e-mail today…author and photographer unknown)

There’s a beautiful soul…

Working in the dead letter department of the Post Office…

who understands…

LOVE…. 
 

Our 14-year-old dog, Abbey…

Died last month…

The day after she passed away…

My 4-year-old daughter Meredith…

 Was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey…

She asked if we could write a letter to God…

So that when Abbey got to Heaven…

God would recognize her…

I told her that I thought that we could…

So she dictated these words:

Dear God…

 Will you please take care of my dog?

Abbey died yesterday…

And is with You in Heaven…

I miss her very much…

I’m happy that you let me have her as my dog…

Even though she got sick…

I hope you will play with her…

She likes to swim and play with balls…

I’m sending a picture of her…

 So when You see her…

 You will know that she’s my dog…

I really miss her…

Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope…

With a picture of Abbey and Meredith…

 Addressed it to God/Heaven…

We put our return address on it…

Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope…

 Because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter…

 All the way to Heaven…

That afternoon, she dropped it into the letter box at the post office…

A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet…

I told her that I thought He had…

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch…

 Addressed, “To Meredith” in an unfamiliar hand…

Meredith opened it…

Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, When a Pet Dies

Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God…

In its opened envelope…

On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey and Meredith…

 And this note:

Dear Meredith…

Abbey arrived safely in Heaven…

Having the picture was a big help…

 And I recognized her right away…

Abbey isn’t sick anymore…

Her spirit is here with me…

 Just like it stays in your heart…

Abbey loved being your dog…

Since we don’t need our bodies in Heaven…

 I don’t have any pockets to keep your picture in…

 So I’m sending it back to you…

 In this little book for you to keep…

 And have something to remember Abbey by…

Thank you for the beautiful letter…

 And thank your mother for helping you write it…

 And sending it to me…

What a wonderful mother you have…

 I picked her especially for you…

I send My blessings every day…

 And remember that I love you very much…

By the way, I’m easy to find…

I am wherever there is LOVE!!

Love,

God

I’d love to write a letter myself to God about the loved ones I’m missing!!

Romans 8:37-39

No,

in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through Him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future,

nor any powers,

neither height nor depth,

nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us

from the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 John 3:1

See what great love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!

The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.”

You Carried Me…To The Table!

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“Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,

all you who remain in Israel.

I have cared for you since you were born.

Yes, I carried you before you were born.”

Isaiah 46:3

(Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet.

He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel.

His nurse picked him up and fled,

but as she hurried to leave,

he fell and became crippled.

His name was Mephibosheth.)”

2 Samuel 4:4

2 Samuel 9
David and Mephibosheth

“David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’

Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’

‘Your servant,’ he replied.

The king asked, ‘Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?’

Ziba answered the king, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.’

‘Where is he?’ the king asked.

Ziba answered, ‘He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.’

 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, ‘Mephibosheth!’

 ‘Your servant,’ he replied.

‘Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.

 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, ‘What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?’

Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, ‘I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.’

(Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) Then Ziba said to the king, ‘Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.’

 So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all the members of Ziba’s household were servants of Mephibosheth.

And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was crippled in both feet.”

 

Wounded and forsaken…
I was shattered by the fall…
Broken and forgotten…
Feeling lost and all alone…

Summoned by the King!

Into the Master’s courts!
Lifted by the Savior!
And cradled in His arms!

Carried to the table!
Seated where I don’t belong!
Swept away by His love!

I don’t see my brokenness anymore!
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord!

Fighting thoughts of fear…
Wondering why He called my name…
Am I good enough to share this cup?
This world has left me lame…

Even in my weakness!
The Savior called my name!
In His Holy presence!
I’m healed and unashamed!

You carried me, my God!
You carried me!

I’ve been so busy, I missed the reasons…
I missed Your love, and I nearly missed it all…
Still You’ve loved me, and You’ve healed me…
You’ve given all and it brought me to Your Cross…
I stand only because You’ve given me grace to walk…
Only because…
You carried me!
You carried me through it all!

And I believe!
Yes, I believe!
You’ll carry me all the way home!
‘Cause mercy covers all!

I know the Scripture, I’ve known the songs…
I sang the words from my hollowed heart…
But You’ve spoken softly through the storm…
I’ve heard Your voice, and I’ve felt the calm…
I stand only because, You’ve given me faith to walk…

I know that you love me!
I’ll never doubt it, I can’t live without it!
Your mercy has found me!
I am astounded, I can’t live without it!