What I love about God is that even when life gets a little difficult or uncomfortable, he fills our lives with reasons to be grateful. I snapped the photo in this post on one of the many flights I took this summer. It so perfectly captured life in that moment. Here's an excerpt from my prayer journal this month.
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God,
Thank you for the reminder that you are my rescuer, redeemer, protector, and the source of everything I need in this journey. Thank you for a summer full of priceless moments with my family and the freedom and flexibility in my professional life. Thank you for the wisdom, resilience, and discipline that has allowed me to reach heights that I’d previously only seen in my dreams. And thank you for the lows that came with lessons that brought me closer to you and prepared me for aspects of my journey that I can't see coming. And thank you for showing me grace in those moments where I gave my problems more care and attention than your promises that you laid out so clearly in your Word.
You created me, so you know everything you've instilled in me to carry out the calling over my life. You also know every flaw in me that could make this journey more difficult. Whether it’s overworking, overthinking or over relying on my own strength and abilities, you know it all. You know it all, you have all the answers, so it’s you that I can fully trust. Not myself.
I admit that my faith, in some areas of my life, has been something I profess with my words, but not exactly something that I practice with my heart and actions. I’ve held some grudges and I’ve withheld forgiveness, forgetting that it should be given freely –not just when I feel like it. I also admit I rushed ahead of you in some decisions, only pausing to invite you in as an afterthought.
As this summer season comes to an end I’m so full. Your grace and favor has been beyond sufficient for me. I’m entering this Fall season, harvest season, expecting great things. With my words and every good intention within me, I surrender this upcoming season to you. Help my heart and decisions fall in line with the vision and plans you have given me. Help me to be a positive force in the lives of those around me. Show me how to use my gifts to be the solution to problems that I see around me. Help me to love and forgive without conditions. Help me sacrifice what can wait, and make space and time in my day for necessary priorities. Guide my words and actions as I continue to experience higher heights in my professional and personal life.
Thank you for all these things and all that you do. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.
Gentle reminder: Isaiah 26:3