A Wandering Mind But Not a Wandering Heart

I pace and I pray and I pour out my cares

here in your Presence, Oh Lord,

when suddenly I'm shocked to find my thoughts

turning to other things.

How can that be?

I'm here with You and lesser things

are pulling me away?

I yank myself back, 

determined to shut out the world.

For though my mind may wander,

my heart never will.

 ****

(Copyright© 2017 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

In the arms of Jesus

photo courtesy mokra, rgbstock.com

He threatens and my heart catches in my throat.

God, no!

My mind runs ahead, imagining the scenario.

I am horrified

shaken to the core.

This beautiful boy with so much life to live

He can't mean it!

I mentally snatch him up in my arms

and run, run, run

to lay him in the arms of Jesus.

Please, please, Lord - keep him safe

I don't know if he's serious

or if he's just mad right now,

but I'm scared.

My heart is racing,

tears fill my eyes

an ache wrenches my chest

panic sets in

and then

...

Jesus.

Be still, my child.

I've got this.

I love this boy

more than you could ever know.

He's been        mine since
birth. I have plans for him and I
 will see them  through  to fruition.

Don't believe the lies of the enemy

I will surround this boy with love

with a hedge of protection

because of my great love

and because one day

he will do great 

things for

me.

My heart settles

ceases it's trembling

faith and trust

rush in.

Peace pushes away fear.

I draw a deep, cleansing breath.

Thank you, Lord.

Thank you.

I believe.

***

 "The Lord will keep you from all harm

He will watch over your life;

 the Lord will watch over your coming and going

 both now and forever more."

Psalm 121:7-8

(Copyright© 2013 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

Wonder - Awestruck Wonder

photo courtesy Justine Gallien of PYP Portraits, LLC

 I pray - I wait - and I wonder.

I wonder at the knowledge that God hears me

that He loves me and

that He cares about what concerns me.

I wonder how He will answer my prayer

Not if  He will answer,

but how he will answer...and when.

I wonder how He will take the perplexities in my life

and turn them around for my good.

I wonder how He will use these circumstances to mold

me into the image of Christ.

I wonder at the hardships He allows so that I may grow

and comfort others with the comfort

He has given me

through the storms.

I wonder at the blessings He pours out

Unearned, undeserved

undeniably an outpouring of grace.

I look up...in wonder

awestruck wonder

and gaze into the face of

perfect love.

****

"Who among the gods is like you, Lord?

Who is like you— majestic in holiness,

awesome in glory, working wonders?"

Exodus 15:11

(Copyright© 2013 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)

I asked the Lord...

photo courtesy  TACLUDA, rgbstock.com

I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God's holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ's love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19 NCV





(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)