Trusting

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

This verse has run through my mind a lot in the past few days.  As I reflect on the fact that 2013 is coming to an end, I realize that I cannot understand much of what I have experienced in the past year.  My prayer journal is filled with more questions than answers as I have tried to process why God has allowed me to go through so many tests of my faith.  In all honesty I am not sure if I am ready for 2014.  How will I survive if 2014 brings more challenges like 2013?  I have asked God to use my life for His glory, but in my quiet moments with Him I find myself asking "How much more are You going to put me through?"  I am very aware of my human weakness and possibly more aware than any other time in my life that I can't look too far ahead.  I find myself asking Him every morning to give me whatever I need to survive another day. At the end of each day I thank Him for getting me through and praise Him for the people He has placed in my life to listen to my fears, speak encouraging words, and show me that they care.  I am so grateful that God's patience with me is far greater than my patience with other people.  He never tells me to be quiet even when I have told him about the same struggles over and over again.  He reminds me that His compassion for me is great and that He knows me better than I know myself.  

A friend sent me this verse yesterday and I plan to post it in a place a can read it often.  "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen" (I Peter 5:10-11) I place a lot of hope in the fact that Christ will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish me in His perfect time.  

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Ira F.Stanphill

I don't know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.

I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden's getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.

There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

I don't know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand...