The Next Chapter

God,

Last night, I said a final farewell ton 320 N Lime Street.  While there were several confirmations in the last weeks that it is time to move on, I had sentimental moments. The last 4 years, that apartment has harbored my fears, anxieties, joys, and triumphs. It has housed love and friendship and heart breaks and disappointment.  But I trust that this new home, will have a host of memories to be remembered as well.  God, thank you for the time on Lime Street. In the seasons I've lived there, I've learned so much about the community, the people I serve daily, but most importantly myself.  You have taught me that I am braver than I believe. You have taught me that wherever I am, there you too will be.  And you've taught me that light beats out darkness every time.

So it is my prayer, that this new home would be a respite for many. Not only for the hearts who reside here, but also for all who enter through the doors. God, I pray that I would not take this gift of a home for granted.  Open my eyes to the opportunities to serve through this gift you've given.  Push me to take this new chapter and allow you to write something far better than I can know.  Lord, with great gifts come great responsibility. Lord, I need you to help me use this gift well.

Lord, yesterday at church the pastor spoke of grace for others but also for our own self condemnation. God, I'm much better at the other grace than I am the self grace.  God, I accept your gift that I no longer have to live in regret of my sins, but get up and walk towards your free gift of grace.

Lord,  can you help my step forward into the next year with a posture of gratitude? I can let myself drown in anticipation of what could be or I can live in the moment now and just choose to follow for the next minute, day, hour.. etc.  And I choose the later.

I will lean on Isaiah 57:10-- You were wearied with the length of your way but you did not say, "It is hopeless": You found new life for your strength and so you were not faint.

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself." 
— C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)

Amen!