Music Monday: "The Stand"

I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.
[Psalm 57:9-11]

Yes, this was today.

I ached today as I felt my plans slip out of my grasp to make room for Your plans. 
[I tried not to panic, but You know how much I like to make an effort to manage my time well.]

Being honest about my responsibilities: what's really important, and what's really selfish.
What "need tos" and "have tos" can be bumped from my To Do list to make room for more important things:
the love-your-neighbor-things
bigger-than-myself-things. 

And I realize
maybe taking things too personally is a chance
to --take a deep breath--
recognize my shortcomings and pride, 
both of which sting when they are exposed.

I let those voices convince me that I will never do well enough or be more than lousy.

But then
I'm reminded of Your plans for me 
and how you use me to bless other despite all the ways I fail

I rally 
and battle back with Truth:

I am redeemed
I have worth
For I have

l    o    v   e     &    g    r    a    c    e

and what more does a girl need? 


Because this is what it's all about:
Your love being bigger than I can comprehend and bigger than I deserve...
and sharing that love.

And oh, what a luxury to be surrounded by it so freely
in my family, friends, work, home...without being called to risk my life to hear it or share it.
I take that for granted each and every day, and I am ashamed.

But this is what it's all about, friends --
This love that's so graciously given
For me
For you
For all.