Dear Savior...Thank you.

"My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the King;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer..."
-Psalm 45-

My Dear Savior,
I love you.  I love you so incredibly much it's quite insane.  Thank you for loving me so that I could love you and others in return.  Thank you for your Grace that completely sustains me.  For keeping me afloat- and giving me True Life- amidst pain and struggle. Incomprehensibly so, your Power and Love has overshadowed and, yes, even taken the place of any struggles I've had during this season of life - their pain and confusion turns into vapor in light of how Great and Awesome and Big you are.  I am in awe of you constantly it seems.  And I can't take my eyes off of you. 

Thank you for giving me the eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand - so that I can be someone with a purpose in your Kingdom.  Thank you for answering my prayers; for equipping me with your Word and your Spirit so I can fight on behalf of myself and others.  Thank you for gifting me with eyes and ears to see glimpses of you, your hand, and your power.  Thank you for giving me life- new life- and a clean, pure heart to see your face like I never have before in all my life.  Thank you for this unspeakable Joy that pumps your Son's life-blood through my veins.  The blood that gives me all authority and love and power in your name that never ever fails.  Thank you for my voice that I can sing out loud in my car on my way to and from work every morning and evening.  Thank you for this Joy that can't be contained as I hum Hallelujah's throughout my day; unable to contain all that is so full inside me.  Thank you for this body that I can dance to the harmonies of your Song and dance with complete and utter abandon (and some embarrassment!) 

Thank you for the laughter that seemingly comes out of "nowhere;" for the giggles between friends, for the spurts of laughter that come even when I'm alone with you...cooking in the kitchen, on a run, or in the early mornings when you wake me with your sweet and gentle presence.  The laughter revives my soul and I feel it echo throughout the spirit realm as it threatens and crushes the enemy beneath my feet in defeat.  Thank you for instilling your power in me so that I can declare in your name - the Name above all names- the name that frees and heals and restores.  Thank you for this Faith you've gifted me with - for this faith that you've seeded deep inside of me through trials and perseverance - for without it, I'd speak out your name and nothing would happen...Mountains would not move, healing would not come, the seas would not part, and slaves would not be freed. 

Thank you for the strength of heart you've instilled in me - without your strength, I'd still be trying to do it all on my own; self-sufficient and afraid.  Thank you for creating me into your daughter; a daughter of the Most High.  You're my King and my Best Friend and I cannot believe that you have chosen me.  It gives me chills all the time these days.  Thank you for never leaving me - even when you have felt quiet and far - I knew, somehow, you were here still.  Because you are True.  And you always do what you promise.  And I believe you.  I believe in Who You Are so, so much.  Thank you for calling me higher and rooting me deeper.  Just like you do with the trees.  Thank you for the trees.  I love to watch them move with your Wind.

Thank you, my sweet Lord, for hanging out in the deep with me.  For teaching me that there's nothing wrong with hanging out in the deep!  And that, in light-hearted comparison, there is nothing wrong with acting like I'm 12 much of the time too!  Thank you for bringing back my youth.  For having fun with me. The kind of fun I never knew existed before. Thank you for returning to me the Joy of my salvation.  Thank you for teaching me how to tread the water.  For teaching me how to use my hands and feet and lungs like I never have before.  And to use them for others.  Thank you for fighting on my behalf.  For saying "Enough is enough," and being my voice, my shield, my helmet, and my sword.  Thank you for sending your Spirit to keep me safe from harm and to reveal Truth. 

Thank you for being my friend and for being near when my earthly friends feel far.  For never being too busy for me.  For always having time for me.  For never telling me "Hold on a minute" or canceling your plans with me.  Thank you for never wasting anything - for never wasting my sorrow or suffering and for, so faithfully, turning it into Joy and Peace.  For bestowing your Glory upon me; for shining your Light through my face that it may shine on others.  I love seeing your reflection in the faces of your people.  Thank you for your people; for the wonderful women you've so graciously gifted me.  Thank you for restoring my family.  For binding up the brokenness of it.  For repairing the shattered pieces.  For healing what I once thought was impossible to heal.  Thank you for being with me each night as I brush my teeth and crawl into bed.  For keeping me warm and for working in the hiddenness of my heart as I sleep.  Thank you for sending me your Angels of comfort.  For equipping them to war over me and on behalf of me. 

Thank you for being so steadfast, unchanging, unwavering, and constant.  Thank you for answering me every time I call out for your help and mercy.  Thank you for showing me your view, your perception...that things in the "natural" are never quite what they seem; that your work always goes deeper - often hidden to the worldly eye.  Thank you for gifting me with pieces of your picture; for entrusting to me some of your Ways and your Words so that I can, with great privilege, watch the story unfold in your hands... Your perfect, life-giving, glorious hands.  You know, I see it now...I see now that this has nothing to do with me.  And everything to do with you.  I am so satisfied.  So content by the honor to labor alongside you.  I see my story- tangled up in yours- as I watch your Kingdom come down to earth; as I reach up and pull Heaven earthward and tighten the anchor-hold of my heart toward you and your purpose. 

Thank you that your Ways are so much higher and wider than my own.  Thank you for the tangible, life-changing revelation that all of "this" far transcends the horizon I can see - your Story and your Purpose and your Plan for my life, and for all your children, is so much more magnificent and grand than I could ever grasp.  I love that I cannot grasp it.  What an awesome Promise you have gifted upon me. Upon us.  Redeeming all of humanity.  Calling us back to you.  Calling us Home.  By your Voice of True Love.  I will carry this weight of Love upon my shoulders wherever I walk.  I will bind it around me. I will never leave it behind.  I will never set it down.  Thank you for your Story.  Thank you for allowing me, just a simple child of yours, to play a part in your Passion.  Thank you for your Victory. 
Amen.