by Michelle Welch
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.“
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
It seems that lately, I am forever falling on my knees to beg forgiveness from my Father in Heaven for the lack of love in my heart. I try so hard to be patient. I plan to be kind. I truly do not start out to become angry.
Then life happens.
In an instant, my world goes from smooth and pretty to bumpy and ugly punctuated by the sound of a slamming door as I head into my office to throw myself into my chair.
Why does there have to be so much chaos? Why can’t I have a day of peace? When will I get to do what I want to do? When will my life not be controlled by the whimsy of other people’s bad choices? Can I not have just one day to myself?
The list of why questions goes on and on. I know what I should do. I should pull out my Bible and seek comfort in His Word. I should get on my knees and pray for forgiveness for my angry words and thoughtless comments. I should set aside my selfish desires and stop thinking the world revolves around me.
I should. I can. I will.
As I pulled out my worn Bible, the one with the frayed pages and highlighted verses blending into each other, my eyes paused on Matthew 4:6. “Jesus, wearied as He was from His journey……” Tears sprang to my eyes. He knows how I feel right now.
He knows.
In that moment of exhaustion, I felt the warm embrace of His love as He wrapped His arms around my heart, filling my body with strength for the journey that lies in front of me.
I am not on this road alone.
He is with me.
I know that I will continue to have these moments of weakness. I am but a sinner in need of His mercy and grace. It is my heart’s desire that I will turn to Him first instead of last. He is my comforter, my everything.
Dearest Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to stand for me. Thank You for friends who stand in the gap for me. Thank You for the guidance of those whose gifts are greatest when others are in need of comfort. I pray for wisdom to seek after only those things that lead me to Your feet where I will kneel in obedience and humility. In Christ I pray these things, Amen
Copyright © 2014, Michelle Welch, all rights reserved, Breath of Life Women’s Ministries. Images from Pinterest. Scripture from The Holy Bible, New International Version.
