I have to keep asking You

Because my needs, worries, thoughts

Resurface like hallow plastic balls

I try to push under the water.

But my asking–again–is no surprise to You.

–

Thank You.

–

I have to keep thanking You

Because Your goodness, fullness, all-ness

Reappear like clouds and shade

Shielding me from the blaze of doubt.

And my thanking–again–befits Your Name.

–

Bless You.

–

Let me keep on–

As You keep on.

Yes.

Know and shelter me.

For Your glory.

Hands

Can be open or closed, hardened or soft–as can be

Hearts.

–

Give me open hands

And a heart of liquid gold.

Even if that means

I just relax, stop fighting–

Because I’ve finally come to see

You always have the greatest plan.

–

Hearts

Can be trusting, filled, mended, moved–as can be

Hands.

Sing, oh earth, of the goodness of God–

Let creatures leap and dance for joy,

And rocks stand firm and mountains move–

All by command of His great voice.

I, too, shall sing and lift my heart:

In praise for light He has upheld,

In thanks for grace from which hope starts,

In awe of life He fills so well.

Yes, earth and I have this to prove:

How He has formed our every part

So that we can point to the Source,

Invite the world to heed His call.

Sometimes I don’t know what to say.

But You already know what I need.

So I will sit by You, quietly,

And taste Your presence, wholly-sweet–

And know that’s what’s best anyway.

To the One so familiar with sorrow and stings:

Help us know Your nearness in our suffering.

Help us glimpse a shred of the picture You see;

Help us look, in faith, for the goodness You’ll bring–

–

Yes, even You are bringing right now

And have already brought here somehow,

That every tear will carve a path for mercy

And every sigh will open deep for blessings.

–

But not that we should crave our comfort only.

Would that You teach us to want most Your glory:

Your name to be, forever, lifted upward–

Our praise in testifying echoes long heard.

If I could say–only–“thanks”–endlessly

With all my might and every breath

And every moment I have left

To walk this earth, it wouldn’t suffice

To show Your heart how much I’ve prized

Your ceaseless blessings poured down-over–

The last one uncounted before there’s another.

But, still, now, Lord, let me praise You–so freely.

Have mercy on us in our plight

Of fallenness, yet set our sights

On righteousness, and help us crave

Your holiness. And make us brave

Enough to try, clothed in Your strength,

To leave behind excuses–weak–

Which tempt us to resist this growth.

Oh, Mercy: please define our worth!

Glory-Honor-Wisdom from above:

Imbue my every need with Your enough.

Eradicate ideals which take Your place,

Which tempt my heart in gaudy masquerade.

–

My mind is wander-prone;

You offer changeless grace.

My faith shifts like the waves;

You teach me to be calm.

–

I see the good in what You give.

I feel the all in what You are.

This is the beauty of Your peace.

Son-rise, Lord, upon my day

And guide my heart till my eyes close–

That all I choose to do and say

–

Would show Your good, reflect Your love:

Until those placed around me know

The great things You alone have done.

–

Amen.

When I have trusted and been cleansed–

My way to God made clear by Christ–

What then shall block my prayers to Him

Except my pride and worry-vice?

O Lord of clarity and light,

Diffuse the fog that skews my thoughts.

Lift all distractions from my mind;

Help me address You as I ought.

Amen.