A Concord Pastor Comments: Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 1/5

It's only 1/5/23, Lord,
   and yes, I know you're always telling me,
   "Keep it in today"
but with a whole new year ahead of me,
well, I just can't help but wonder and muse
   (and anticipate in equal parts of
   of excitement, anxiety and trepidation)
all that lies ahead...

Some of what's coming is predictable
    - things expected, planned and scheduled.
But how I'll experience all that, Lord,
   how it will touch and change me,
   how it will change my life -
all that I need to put in your hands,
   trusting you'll see me through
   with all the grace I need
   to get from here to there...

And some of what's coming, Lord,

(even some of what I think I already know)

some of that may be, will be

totally different than what I expect

and will have, will likely have

depths and dimensions beyond my imagination.

And all this, too, I need to place in your hands,

trusting you'll see me through

with the wisdom I'll need

to accept what comes my way,

whatever comes my way...

And then, Lord,
   there'll be the totally unexpected.
In each and every year there come
   those hours, days and seasons
   of surprise and shock, of grief and joy,
   of challenge and consolation
of things I pray I'll never know
   and those I pray I will not miss.
And all this, too, I place in your hands, Lord,
   trusting you'll see me through
   with the faith I need
   to trust in you and in your word,
   in your presence, power and your strength...