“What you need most in these deeply challenging times is not clarity or answers from me, but simply to lean in, be present with me and feel my love for you. You will not always understand. But I am unchanged. I have been your King of glory—let me now be your Prince of peace.”

Thank you, Lord. ⇈

With all that’s going on—in our world and in my own life right now—I know that you are.

I mean, as smart and wise as I like to think that I am sometimes, I’ve got a freaking ant’s brain compared to you.

Thank you for reminding me that I see only tiny blips on the map at any given time, but you’re the freaking map-maker. You crafted it all from start to finish, and can see exactly what, why and how these dots connect to you always.

Please remind me of this, and of these four deep truths as often as possible…

1: You are God.

With mere words and will, you literally spoke all things into being.

• From mountains to molecules,
• Galaxies to grains of sand,
• Tyrannosaurs to time itself.

Your greatness is unparalleled, your creativity transcendent, and your strength boundless.

I mean, there’s just no words or language that can come close to doing justice.

That, and you actually care for us—for me personally. With a love that’s truer, deeper and more radiant than I can ever comprehend.

Mind-freaking-blowing.

2: You are good.

Your character is unequalled—pure, unadulterated good.

Though admittedly, it doesn’t always seem that way. Sometimes I feel like Solomon, perplexed over over injustice or deep pain in my world. When “bad things” happen to “good people”, I’m as confused as the next guy. When I think I do everything right, but everything just seems to go so wrong…I think it sucks.

• But it’s not you that’s flawed. It’s me and my limited, human perspective.
• It’s me mistakenly assuming that I obviously know what’s “best” and what “sucks”
• And that I must be able to see the many “dots” connecting for my good and for your glory.

But regardless of me and my ongoing thought errors, you do all things well and in perfect time.

ALL THINGS.

Not just the things I want or that seem right to me. Thank you.

3: You are with me.

Though I’m faced with terrifying storms and walk through shadows-of-death valley sometimes, you’re with me.

Not like a benevolent spectator, just watching me fail-forward & hoping for the best.

• You’re actually walking with me in the yuck of each day.
• You see me at my best, and you’re here.
• You see me at my worst, and still you remain here.
• Your “rod” and “staff” comfort me, because they’re right here beside me in the mess.

You know my pain. You feel it. You help me bear it, and you feel these things even deeper than I do myself.

Your undying with-ness means so much.

4: You are for me.

You are personal—you are my God.

All things (even confusing, seemingly terrible things) happen by your sovereign hand.

And they are all for my good and your glory, even when I cannot see it.

I trust you. Thank you.

You are God. You are good. You are with me. And you are for me.

Help me remember these things each hour.

—Memento Mori, Memento Aeternum.