back in the game

I love the Christmas season, but I'm generally ready for it to be over when January rolls around. I'm ready to reclaim my life from the chaos and busyness that comes with the decorating, parties, baking, and celebrating. This year was especially busy because my business was booming with Christmas orders and I was furiously crocheting just about every night. It was a blessing, but I'm ready for things to slow down and I'll prepare better next year.

I always find it a bit ironic that my spiritual health seems to take a hit during the Christmas season, which is supposed to be centered on Jesus. Even with the best intentions, the pace of life during the month of December so easily carries me away from the Word and my moments of solitude are few and far between. I was getting ready to sit down with my Bible this morning and I couldn't find it anywhere. Now, if that isn't a sign of the state of my life right now, I don't know what is! I did eventually find it as well as my copy of The Valley of Vision. I read some Psalms and then this passage from VoV. A great read for today. And as a side note - go out and get yourself a copy of this little book if you don't have it!

Shortcomings


O Living God, 
I bless thee that I see the worst of my heart as well as the best of it, 
that I can sorrow for those sins that carry me from thee, 
that it is thy deep and dear mercy to threaten punishment so that I may return, pray, live.
My sin is to look on my faults and be discouraged, 
or to look on my good and be puffed up. 
I fall short of thy glory every day by spending hours unprofitably,
by thinking that the things I do are good, 
when they are not done to thy end, 
nor spring from the rules of thy Word.
My sin is to fear what never will be;
I forget to submit to they will, and fail to be quiet there. 
But Scripture teaches me that they active will reveals a steadfast purpose on my behalf, 
and this quiets my soul, 
and makes me love thee.
Keep me always in the understanding that saints mourn more for sin than other men, 
for when they see how great is thy wrath against sin, 
and how Christ's death alone pacifies wrath, 
that makes them mourn more. 
Help me to see that although I am in the wilderness it is not all briars and barrenness. 
I have bread from heaven, streams from the rock, 
light by day, fire by night, 
they dwelling place and thy mercy seat. 
I am sometimes discouraged by the way,
but though winding and trying it is safe and short;
Death dismays me, but my great high priest stands in its waters, 
and will open me a passage,
and beyond is a better country.
While I live let my life be exemplary, 
When I die may my end be peace. 

Amen