I just discovered a new author, one who it seems has a kindred spirit (or at least, struggled with the same internal doubts and weaknesses as I do).
This morning, a prayer of Brennan Manning (at the end of chapter 8 in his book Souvenirs of Solitude) … speaks to my need to know and be reaffirmed in God’s amazing love toward me, his child. Pilgrims can forget these things…pilgrims like me, need to be reminded daily of God’s radical love that is not measured with a yardstick.
From Brennan Manning…
“Lord, thank you
For not giving up on me.
Thank you
For not washing your hands of me.
Thank you
For not turning your back on me and my brokenness.
Lord, thank you
For not considering me
A hopeless case;
For not shrugging your shoulders
And walking away
From my innumerable failures,
Great and small.
Lord, thank you
For believing in me
When I can’t believe in myself.
Thank you
For hoping in me
When I can’t hope in myself.
Thank you
For trusting me
When I can’t trust in myself.
Thank you, Lord,
For being my Father
Who believes in me,
Who hopes in me,
Who trusts me
And loves me (all through Jesus)
Forever and ever —
No matter what.
Lord, forgive me for thinking
That your love for me
And my love for you
Can be measured
With the same
Yardstick.
Your love for me
Doesn’t depend
On what I do for you,
Your love for me
doesn’t falter
In the face
Of silence.
Your love for me
Doesn’t shrivel
In the face
Of my refusal to respond.
Your love for me
Doesn’t use me,
Force me,
Manipulate me
Or coerce me,
Your love for me
Is free,
And it sets me free.
Forgive me, Lord,
For trying to do to you
What your love
Won’t allow you
To do to me.
And even now
You say to me,
“Throw away
That yardstick!”
Lord, I’m so happy
That you’re God!”
A Pilgrim’s Journey 