I’m feeling so small
Standing here weeping
As I’m coming clean
Of the secrets I’m keeping
I’ve caused so much pain
To the ones I love most
And I’m falling apart
As I carry my heart to Your throne

I am completely surrendering
Finally giving You everything
You’re my Redeemer, I run to the Cross
Because You are more than enough
Lord, complete me
‘Cause I’m Yours completely

I’m letting go
There’s nothing I own
The treasures I held
Just weighed down my soul
And there’s nothing left
Inside of me
But a longing for You
And a longing to be the man that You need

I let Your gifts take the place of You
But You pulled up my selfishness from its roots
I am a broken and fragile me
But I’m where You want me to be

Performed by Among The Thirsty
Songwriters: Ryan Squitieri and Stephanie Lewis

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory,
because of Your love and faithfulness.
Psalm 115:1

Let’s say it’s one of your children’s birthdays and you’ve gotten them the gift that they’ve always wanted. You saved and saved and searched and shopped and finally found the gift that’s on the top of the list. They unwrap it and scream with excitement. They go on and on about how much they wanted it and dreamed about it and then they take it and put it in their room. They go about their business, unwrapping the rest of the presents and finish the cake and ice cream. What did they forget? Oh yes, they never thanked you for the gift! How would you be feeling about now? I know! Totality unappreciated and forgotten and you would really have your feelings hurt. I would. They loved the gift and forgot the giver.

Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
Psalm 119:36

Often we do the same thing. We focus so much on the blessings—actually put more importance on them—than the blesser. Just like the song says…we let His gifts take the place of Him, yet He keeps on giving. He gives us all we need, yet we worry about whether we will have enough. As you listen to this song, I encourage you to lay it all at His feet and surrender everything to Him. Not just the hard things that you are going through but the gifts that He continues to give so that you are open to receive even more of Him.

You are my Portion, O Lord, I have promised to obey Your Words.
Psalm 119:57

When Jesus came and walked the earth as a man and experienced all that we do, He went before us and paved the way. He gave us an example to live by. And when we get overwhelmed by the things of this world, we are to go to the foot of the Cross and surrender our lives to Him. We let Him know what we have done, those we have hurt, and sins we have committed  You say that He knows already, and yes…He does; but we still need to voice it to the Savior.

Don’t let the enemy keep you in shame of the past. God has called you for so much more than  that. As a wise lady said in her talk at our women’s ministry brunch:

“The enemy calls us by our shame, but Jesus calls us by our name.”
Stephanie Payne

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Let us pray: Dearest Heavenly Father, You are so awesome. You love us so much. You know everything there is to know about us and still You love us so much. You wait on us to come to You and tell You all about what is going on in our lives. You love to just sit with us. Oh Lord, forgive us when we focus so much on the blessings and the gifts and forget to keep our eyes on You. We forget to thank You for this amazing life that You have called us to. Keep us close, Lord, give us so much love for others that we are overflowing.  May we continue to be a witness to all who still are struggling. In Jesus’ name, amen.