"And through the times I've faded and You've outlined me again, You've just waited patiently to bring me back again, and then..."

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" ~ I Timothy 1
"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." ~ II Timothy 2
"But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.....Be joyful always; pray continually;give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus...Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." ~ I Thess.5

One of my first thoughts, after I had typed those verses here, was "Wow, I hope people don't mind that I write down some much Scripture on this thing." No sooner did I think that, I was reminded of this verse in Romans: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.' "

This just reminds me of yet again, of who I am without God. I am not righteous, I do not seek God as I should. And it makes me read those first verses more closely. They put a fire, a passion, in my heart, as I look with hope and excitement to see what God is doing in my life. Purifying me, sanctifying me - and! - all this, I have not done - it is God's work in me!

So, though I have been battling worries and guilt and selfishness of late (when do I not?!), God grants me peace and reminds me of his love, and takes those things away from me, pulling me towards him, telling me to trust him with the desires of my heart, and to give him my all. He continually turns me around, to face him, and gaze into his ever-loving, ever-forgiving face, the one that would blind me except for the grace of the Savior. How amazing! He lifts me up, gives me joy, and happiness! How can I not give him my praise?

~E.