Morning Devotional

I have lived a blessed life. Yes I have seen my share of troubles, deaths and challenges to last a few lifetimes but through it all I have felt the joy of God. As I have pondered this recently I have come to realize I better appreciate all of this because I am coming to accept the love of God, the way God wants to love me in all situations. Sometimes it is through health issues, successes, financial worries or wealth moments. I start my day with praying that God's will be done but at times it is hard to say honestly and graciously that I accept everything, His will being done in my life. Yet when I truly believe that God is love, all His actions is out of love then it becomes easier to see His love in all things and it is possible to feel this love in my heart.A joy the world cannot take.
  
As many of you know I will pray the same prayer for months at a time. A while back I camE across one written by Charles de Foucauld that expresses where I want my journey with Christ to lead. I hope you feel the power of this prayer as much as I have. Let us pray:

Father, I abandon myself into your hands, do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you; I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.

I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. (and I add) I come to you through your Son Jesus, Amen.

When I pray this prayer I know that I can never make this prayer come true by my own desires and efforts. But the Holy Spirit left to me me through Jesus can help it grow to fruition. I am coming to realize in a much deeper way that  my inner peace, contentment and hope depends on my, with the Holy Spirits help, making this prayer my own. I hope I see you this morning as we tackle Luke 12:13-21.