Author: astherainandsnow

“He said to me, ‘Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.’ And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. And he said to me, ‘Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words… Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house. And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house. But you, son of man, hear what I say to you.'” Ezekiel 2:1-8

I remember well a moment when I was young, a classmate diagrammed a sentence on the board and our strict grammar teacher asked whether it was correct. All others in the class raised their hands, and I was torn between going along with them, or holding my hand down because the example was not correct. I chose, with trepidation, to align with the standard instead of the crowd. I know how Ezekiel felt!

It is not easy to head into a storm of naysayers, criticism, or rejection. God prepared Ezekiel that his message to stubborn and rebellious Israel would be met by taunting words and rolling eyes, that they would likely refuse his warning, but he was to go and speak no matter what. He gave His words and His Spirit. Ezekiel was not to fear or be dismayed. His audience was God Himself; it was He to Whom he should listen, and to Whom would answer.

In a world of caustic opprobrium, where biblical truth is often distorted and declared outrageous, and slips of the tongue or behavior are immediately magnified under the public’s microscope, we might be tempted to shrink from doing what the Lord requires. Our Almighty says, follow Me anyway. Whether it is to rise up and speak, or stay seated and hold our tongue, we must weigh our decisions by His word, not the pressures of man or the fickle standards of our culture. To know what He would have us do or say takes a ‘standing up,’ out of the fray of popular opinion, away from the cacophony of what-ifs, above fear and intimidation, to hear what God would say to us. Then in His Spirit we must go.

What defines my sense of duty? What forces influence my life message or sway my resolve? Am I giving evidence, by the decisions I make, that I fear man more than God?

Lord, may I stand above the world’s noise and listen to You. Embolden me with Your Spirit to do and be and say all according to Your holy word.

“And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand. David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh… Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon. And Saul and his men went to seek him. And David was told, so he went down to the rock and lived in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. And David was hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them, a messenger came to Saul, saying, ‘Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land.’ So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape. And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of Engedi.” “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior.” 1 Samuel 23:14-15,24-29; 2 Samuel 22:2-3 

The strongholds of our God are a welcome respite in any wilderness. David, having been anointed king but not yet ascended to the throne, was hotly pursued by the still-reigning, rejected King Saul. In addition to his physical enemies, he faced doubt, fear, exhaustion. We can infer that his strongholds in this harsh land were more than hiding places in the rock; his habit was to hide in his Rock and salvation, the LORD.

Are there nasty foes that lurk and pester us to doubt the love and grace of God, His forgiveness of our sins and remembering them no more? Do fears of the unknown, of hypothetical failures, tragedy, defeat, or the worst for loved ones, occupy our thoughts? Does anxiety over impending storms or health or other situations over which we have no control, constantly assail? Would I find God’s stronghold and remain there? No matter what buffets our imaginings, He is nigh, His presence strong, His promises real. David was keenly aware of his enemies and did skillful battle with them, but he set up residence and remained in his Fortress, His Savior. (Isaiah 43:25; Hebrews 8:12)

Abiding in our Stronghold enables us to hold strong. When all things disturbing attack our minds, bodies, souls, we can live safely in Jesus Who delivers from eternal peril and guards against present worry.

“The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

LORD, You are good, my stronghold every day. May I ever hide myself in Thee. (Nahum 1:7)

“‘Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do…’ He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. So Saul said, ‘Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.’ And he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ And Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, “Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.” So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.’ And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.'” 1 Samuel 10:8; 13:8-13

God knows our frail flesh, and in merciful wisdom invites us to be redeemed– to recognize our need for Him. From the Garden of Eden, He has Himself, or by others, sought out His own, giving opportunity to acknowledge our choices against His ways, to ‘come clean’ from our excuses, be restored, and set on an upright path. His method is a gracious gift for us personally, a model for us to weigh our motives, decision-making, planning, actions. (Genesis 3:8-13; 4:9-10; Exodus 32:21; Psalm 103:8-14)

Oh heart, what have you allowed to capture your affection? Where do you wander in time of idleness, where do you drive expenditures of time and resources? Whom do you first love, and where has your love strayed to foreigners?

Oh mind, on whose agenda are you fixed? What is informing your decision-making– selfish desires or God’s wisdom? Are your choices self-driven, resentment-motivated, prejudice-laden, impatience-pushed, or carefully and humbly aligned with the Lord’s?

Oh soul, what are your priorities this day? Where is your anchor held, and what causes you to shift from the Solid Rock to shifting sands? When you are weary, where do you find rest? Whom are you worshiping?

Oh eyes, what has captivated your attention? Are you transfixed on twinkly costume bling instead of eternal jewels? On man’s measure of importance over God’s assessment of value? Do you judge according to the outside instead of the inside? Are the larger and better and newer of this world distracting you from what lasts forever? (1 Samuel 16:7)

Oh hands and feet, where are you going today? Are you busy about the urgent and empty, or well-planned to carry out God’s will? Are you investing in yourself or in Him, your goals or His kingdom? Where will you serve, provide help, comfort, and encouragement in His Body today?

Father, probe my depths, and purify my honest answers. May I daily venture forth filled with Your Spirit, doing Your good pleasure. (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:18)

“Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it… The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.’ So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.’ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.  And when they saw him they worshiped him. And Jesus came and said to them,.. ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. I am with you always, to the end of the age.'” Matthew 28:1-2,5-10,16-17,18-20

After Jesus’s crucifixion and burial, the women were compelled to be near Him, but found an empty tomb. The cross had changed everything, and would forever alter, and redirect, their life path. When the angel appeared, startling their overwhelming emotions with the truth that their Teacher-Savior was alive, he told them to look at the place He had been, then “Go!” They went, and fast, and met Jesus and worshiped Him, Who then also told them to “Go!” When the disciples saw the resurrected Lord, they too worshiped, and He told them to “Go!”

It is good and right to seek and to adore Jesus, to behold Him in His glory and worship Him alive in resurrection power, but He commands that we then take the joy of being in His presence, and “Go!” Worship fuels our witness. When once filled with the wonder of His life and beauty and love, our fear is replaced with zeal, our confusion with clarity, and we are equipped to take the message of His victory over death and His gift of salvation to a needy world. He Who is declared risen and alive is with us always, guiding our steps and empowering our testimony as we tell and train others to follow Him.

Lord, keep my heart in wonder at Your empty tomb, even as my feet go abroad and my mouth speaks Your truth. May Your resurrection power make effectual Your word, and bring many to know and marvel at You.

“When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand… And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together… Saul said, ‘Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.’ Then Samuel said to the people, ‘Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.’ So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.” 1 Samuel 11:8,11,13-15

All in a day’s work. The newly-anointed King Saul was confronted with Ammonites who would agree to a treaty only on the condition that they gouge out all Israel’s right eyes. Ouch. By God’s Spirit, Saul strategized, prepared, and led the people, over hours as the sun blazed hot, and with much bloodshed, to a remarkable victory. But the day was not done. Immediately, taking no selfish credit, and no bitter revenge on nay-sayers, he directed God’s people to keep moving, however weary, south to Gilgal to renew their covenant and offer sacrifices to the LORD Who had given the triumph. Here, early in his reign, his kingly priority was to pause and rejoice.

Is this my practice? When I have triumphed over temptation, or impatience, or despair, do I turn my thoughts to my Deliverer and give thanks? Upon completing a large or weighty task, do I simply rest, or renew myself in God? In the heat of my days, in the midst of challenges with health or finances or personalities or hurtful choices of those for whom I am responsible, do I pause, set my thoughts aright, and praise? In weariness, during a long obedience, will I take time to stop, breathe, and offer myself once again to the Lord of my everything?

There is great benefit to practicing pause before the LORD, and it is always good to give thanks and renew our commitment, our love, our allegiance to Him. When we keep coming back to plumb, when we realign our straying affections or pride to be fixed on Him, we more readily stay in the flow of His will.

“Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.”  ~William Longstaff (1882)

Good Master, keep my stride in step with Yours. May I often pause to remember You, to offer myself anew, to give You the honor due Your glorious name. (Psalm 96:3,6-9)

“The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning.
The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned!
For this our heart has become sick, for these things our eyes have grown dim…
But you, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations…
Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored!” Lamentations 5:15-17,19,21

“For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” Psalm 32:3-5; Romans 2:4

Many times through Israel’s history, God Almighty allowed them to experience misery, inflicted by enemies, brought on by natural phenomena or physical suffering, to lead them to recognize their rebellion, their idolatry, their desperate need for His mercy. And time and again, He lavished that mercy on them in ways that they could see only He had brought the deliverance. As we see this repeated in scripture, so in our lives. Mercy, by its very nature, is poured out over and over to an undeserving people who have a hard time learning its lesson once for all.

While misery– of guilt, anger, broken communion, conflict, exile– comes about for a variety of reasons, we must always look to see where we might be culpable. Is it a mercy in God’s hands intended to uncover, to convict, to cleanse, to bring about reconciliation between individuals or factions? If so, what is my part? If God indeed reigns forever, He has some purpose, and instead of pointing blame, or sitting in judgment on another’s motives, the Lord is pleased when we try the heart, when we open ourselves for His searching and purifying fire. How beautiful the simple words of David and Nathan, “‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ ‘The Lord also has put away your sin.'” (2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 139:23-24)

“Come, Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy, never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter,
Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;
Prone to leave the God I love:
Take my heart, oh, take and seal it
With Thy Spirit from above.” 

~Robert Robinson (1735-1790)

Would I remove the martyr mindset, confess my part in misery’s cause, and take the high ground to see things as God does, accepting and yielding to His purpose? It is on these heights my soul can sing.

Father, thank You for Your kind afflictions that show me Your fathomless love and mercy. May I gratefully submit to Your rule over all things, and ever sing Your praises, that Your mercy is magnified.

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?.. For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power… [We preach] Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God… You are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me.” “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves.” 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17,24,30; Psalm 35:1; Romans 12:18-19

I watched a heavy, dark band of cloud hover above the horizon this morning, portending only dreary tumult. Within minutes, as the sun pushed its way up, the clouds broke apart in glorious splendor. The power of light transforms in a most marvelous way.

Paul’s passion was the gospel, and he drove it right to the heart of division and disunity. If the gospel brings truth to light, and offers freedom, reconciliation, and peace, then the dark muddle of distortion, dissension, argument, comparing, quarreling, is exactly where it is needed. The immorality, religious diversity, and corruption of the Corinthian culture needled at this church, much as our self-laden culture seeps with accusation and hurt feelings and turmoil into our congregations and families today. Paul knew the solution to their selfishness and bickering, the only way to unity, was through the power of the cross.

When we let “I” take the throne, we can become short-sighted and persnickety. When we then bump against anyone or any decision that disagrees with my path or threatens my rights, we turn ornery and irascible. Our self-interest and stubborn determination pollute harmony with an ugly dissonance that destroys relationships and spiritual fruitfulness. Settling for this is like being content to take up residence in the wide storm cloud with a vista of only damp darkness. But when we look above, and allow the light of the gospel to burn its hot healing into our hearts (however much it may sting), to break up our prejudices, dissolve our touchiness, and reshape our thinking, we can release our wills to give way to the wise working of the Father.

In what instances am I so driven by selfish ambition that I disregard a sister or brother in Christ? Where am I digging in my heels and refusing to consider others as more important than myself, or their perspective as valid? How am I contributing to disunity, and what need I change to promote the unity God desires? (Philippians 2:2-4)

Lord, help me lay down my arms to give way to Your glorious, transformative gospel of peace.

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom I give thanks… Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.” Romans 16:3-16

That so many words of the inspired word of God are devoted to this list of names gives us insight into how God values relationships within His body. At the end of this doctrinally rich, intellectually meaty, spiritually edifying tome of a letter, Paul takes time to greet dozens of saints by name, his expressed appreciation and love gracing each with value and affection. His list of fellow workers, fellow prisoners, whole churches and families, gives proof of meaningful relationships he has forged over his ministry. We can imagine, as he mentions each one, a smile, a squeezing of the heart in remembrance, a softly spoken blessing, a closing of the eyes in particular thankfulness.

In the body of Christ, as each is in a different place, owns different gifts, personalities, even quirks and idiosyncrasies, the glue of the Spirit binds us together in a special, unshakable unity. Paul’s lavish display of love and thankfulness for those who have helped him, come alongside him in work, suffered with him, sacrificed, taught, planned, led, hosted, discipled, built up Christ’s church, should inspire us to such gratitude and deliberate expression. Do we take the time to marvel at those God has placed us alongside? (Romans 8:15-16; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:1-7; Philippians 1:3-5)

How can I ‘greet’ others today? When will I send or speak a message of encouragement or gratitude, a needed reminder of cogent truth, a blessing of hope or peace? Have I paused to contemplate God’s grace to me? When I do, out of thankfulness, I can be a conduit of His grace to others. Am I willing, and determined?

Father, make my life and words a gift to others within Your body. Use me to greet them with encouragement and Your favor, to shower them with truth and light. May the grace You have so generously afforded me flow through me to bless and uplift others.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.” Romans 12:9-21; 13:8

The ‘offered’ body of Romans 12:1-8 becomes a daily life that is expressed in outstanding love to God and others. In view of God’s mercies, we live and breathe mercy. In grasping His immeasurable love for us, we extend that selfless love to others in His name and attitude and strength. His very life applied to ours in turn makes ours a vibrant reflection of His divine and generous attributes. The One Who laid down His life for us works this love in and through us, compelling us to lay down our will, preferences, goals, time, for others. (1 John 3:16)

Cleansed and released from every other debt by Jesus, who bore all our sins and their penalty on the cross, we are free to focus our days on the one outstanding debt left: that of loving one another. In practical outworking, we are to love genuinely, lavishly, selflessly, motivated by a clean, good heart. Our love is to be affectionate, fervent, generous, consistent, sympathetic, humble. To prefer others, to outdo others in showing honor, to choose peace and not cling to rights, to care and expend myself more for others’ good than my own, to, with joy, exercise patience and bless my enemies, these are antithetical to the way of the world, but the magnificent mark of a Christian. (Psalm 32:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Is this kind of love even possible in our day of heightened, inflamed sensitivities and protection of self? Of course, because it is His. Rooted in His love for us, we can love in and with the energy and will of the Lord Jesus. All is a fulfillment of His call, all an exclamation of His glory. (Philippians 2:13; Colossians 1:29)

Remind me daily of my debt to You, my Savior. With all I am, may I with great vitality and glad determination love as Jesus loves, palpably caring and spending myself for others.

“The earth is the Lord‘s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.” “Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.” “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?.. Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in.” “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Psalm 24:1-2; Job 41:11; Isaiah 40:12,21-22; Colossians 1:15-17

There is nothing like taking pause to consider the earth, and sky, and sea, and remember, with hushed humility and adoration, Whose they are. It is good to recognize that the intricacies of flower petals and spider webs, the rhythms of tide and changing shape of moon, the coursing of blood through our veins and the holding, then dropping, of rain from clouds, are all gifts from the Creator’s grand imagination and power. Wondering at the Almighty’s majesty and acknowledging His ownership of all creation keeps us secure, thankful, able to rest in His authority and trust His reign.

What gets me to the place that I think I own my life, that I can control what I do and what will happen? Where did I begin gripping the reins so hard I do not relinquish my future hopes, my arranging for security, my plans for loved ones, or my tastes and preferences? Gravity keeps us here on earth, but does not need to keep us pulled to self and horizontal, inward, self-propelled living. Taking time, which takes intentional planning and guarding, to behold the Lord in His word and creation, realigns our thinking and readjusts our sense of possession.

“Heav’n above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen;
Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,
Flow’rs with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.”  ~George W. Robinson (1876)

Father, open my eyes, my heart, my fists, to concede and appreciate Your ownership of everything, including me. May my life be a joy-filled response to Your loving care, provision, and authority, and may I reflect to the world Whose I am.