Burdens I can't bear

Lord, today has brought some burdens,

 that seem more than I can bear, 

My heart is aching for Your children, 

You have given me this care,

But Lord, I thank you for this weight

 and I give it back to You, 

I thank for these burdens, 

that make me lean on You. 

So Lord, I lift Your children,

and I give them back to You. 

Your arms are great enough to hold them,

And to hold me too.

Angry brow
Clenched fists
hidden behind a mask of smiles and "its all-rights"
Hiding the heart that has once again turned love to anger

You see, its easier to be angry
To put up walls
to not let You in

But really its harder in the end
And as I sit here and listen to Ann share the road to joy
paved in thanks, thanks in all things, because You are in all things
And You are always good
And what You have given me right now is very good

I want, O Lord a heart that is always giving thanks but I know that in my sinfulness, anger often takes its place. 

Lord forgive me and change me
transfigure me by Your grace
Let me never forget what You have given me

You gave Yourself upon the cross
How can I ask for more
I lust and hunger for lesser things 
wondering why they do not fill

Yet You continue Your grace to out-pour
You give me breath for one more moment
You give me tears to wipe away the pain
You give me heartache that my heart might ache for You!!

You give me nieces and nephews
You give me love of dear friends
You give me salvation--once and for all!

You give me Yourself, on Your name I call
You give me grace upon grace
and still give me more!

Your name I will praise. You I adore!
Lord You have saved me; You have loved me
You have and You will

You are the I am
the unchanging ever present God! Lord I thank You!

Where are you?

"Where are you?" the whisper comes, 
I cringe,and I hide. I wonder, "should I run?"
Like my mother Eve, I don't want to be found,
I hide in a corner, afraid of the Sun. 

"Where are you?"  the voice is heard!
He is coming closer, the living Word.
I quake inside, afraid He will see, 
the horrible mess inside of me!

"Where are you?" I hear Him say
His voice is gentle, and kind. 
I almost move from my hiding
but shrink back remembering the chains that are binding

Then suddenly the night is ablaze with light, 
My heart is exposed as His glory shines down!
I quake and I tremble, now with great fear and awe
The angels proclaim "Peace on Earth" and skies are filled with Heaven's sound

"Where are you?" I hear the words ring in my heart
The words seem spoken now right in my heart
I bend over the manager and the tears start to flow

"Here I am" He speaks to my heart
as His love breaks my walls
and the chains come apart

Immanuel, came down to dwell with us
He came as a babe, humble and small
A Gift given once, for one and for all