For hope

Lord? Thank you.

You have given me so many things, so many experiences.

If I cry out in want its because I can still taste the times i miss most, but I would never trade having had them once. So please tolerate my whining, because if i am whining its because I’ve been spoiled.

Lord – Thank you.

Thank you for tears, for being able to let it all out.

The cost of the path is high, but the price of compromise is even higher. Lord, you know that. Better than any of us. Thank you for the strength that keeps me on the path when it hurts so much sometimes.

Thank you for catching me still when I fall.

Thank you for finding me during those times when I walked off into the woods. It seemed fun when I started, but it always got dark and scary pretty quickly. Thank you for leading me back.

Lord, thank you.

Thank you for people. These people. I write here and I read here, and its like unfolding a giant maze. Every path leads to new connections, new explorations. Some are doing okay, some are in trouble, some have no clue. But all of them are priceless, all are precious.

And even if its just a few notes, or a moment’s reading – I’ve gotten to know something of them. I’ve brushed shoulders with them, and I am better for that experience. Thank you.

Thank you, Lord, for the things i take for granted. The things in my life – people, feelings, routines – that right now I have no clue that they won’t go on forever. They will be gone someday, and I will miss them. But right now, thank you.

Thank you for the things I don’t take for granted. By and large these are things that have been gone, but You have given them back, and I treasure each new moment of them.

How much I regret that I can’t spend more time in every moment. I would love to live a lifetime with each friend, live a lifetime in each place I’ve been, live a lifetime with each wealth You pour onto me.

But I have only one time around. One moment each moment. I try to do my best. Lord, help me to do Your best.

Thank you for opposable thumbs. For all the subtle wonders of Your creation and the design of this human animal.

Thank you, Lord, for your Word, and wisdom. Living truth and the means to understand and apply it. Help me to learn it better, and apply it more strongly. Not for myself, but for the betterment of your creation, and for your glory.

Thank you for your gift of salvation, Lord. It is that gift that gives the purpose of life a meaning. Thank you for its wonderful simplicity.

I have felt empty today, Lord. I don’t have all the things that I want, and for one thing in particular – it has made me sad. And, the sadness doesn’t change, and I still miss that which is missing. But it would be wrong to continue to let that sadness drag me further down. Not when i have been blessed so richly.

Sadness, but not despair.

And even if it were to all end today, i would say thank you, Lord, its been fun. But it doesn’t end here; not yet. So, finally, I thank you for faith. For being trustworthy that I can count on You being in a tomorrow which I have never seen yet. And the comfort that brings.

And the hope.

Thank you.

Amen.

WOW…. Smile cause the Lord loves you and so do i.. i join with your heart in that prayer of thanks. In Christ, Your friend Sarah :)smile

HELLO! First let me thank u for your note to my very “first” diary entry. The info you left was sooooo helpful. Thanks again…..I look forward to reading your diary…this mornings entry is extremely inspiring. Great..no make that EXTRAORDINARY JOB!!!!!!! I have a very thankful spirit and I see that u do too. I keep what I call a gratitude journal.

Im my gratitude journal I list things that i am thankful for…somedays it can be as simple as a cup of hot herbal tea with lemon… keep up the good work….I am still very new to all this….but excited none the less!Thanks again……:)

Gwyn's Mama

April 1, 2001

Even though time does move on, Our Lord’s strength shall carry on. Amen, Parra. I love you!

Para, Para, Para! This entry is so inspiring and refreshing! Thank you for the gift of these words you put up to God. God, how beautiful they are, and you too… I want to take a moment to thank you for your most recent notes. (YAHOO! I got a lot of notes from you! I MUST be special) :o) Anyhoo, too right you are. Everything in moderation I say, and this guy went quite over that line, you know

But, I decided over the weekend, to reflect on that experience. I decided that indeed there is so much beauty in the world to behold, and to look for it or at least observing it is not wrong. God made us all different did He not? But I refuse to allow this man to simulateneously bolster some beauty to bring my own down. Does that make sense? This man was very lewd about his oggling, in fact and I

cannot, nor will not be a part of such. His nickname for me? WOuld you believe he called me ‘kitty?’ God, what was I thinking? Anyway, lesson learned dear Para. Thank you so much for giving me such wonderful words to reflect on. You are beautiful!

Thank you for visiting my diary and for leaving notes. And, thank you for this list, this prayer…to consider. -Howdypumpkin

RYN: I am not sure what differences characterize the Swiss and American ways of teaching, but I would assume I’m learning under the American method. I go to Clemson University; this is the end of my second year. I hope you have a wonderful day, Parra!

This entry is awesome! That is so cool that when you are sad you go to the Lord in gratitude and thanksgiving for what you have. You have inspired me to try and do this more often, instead of whining and complaining, to look for what I do have which is SO much! So I would like to Thank You for this entry, you have given me alot to think about and a new way to look at the trials in my life!

Also I really like your woods analogy, I can’t even count the number of times God has come and retrieved me from the darkness of the woods. He is wonderful! ~~Michelle

that was an incredible entry, Parra. So uplifting! A great way to start my day ;D thank you for sharing your experience with us here at OD! *Hugs* ~Janet~

e-mail addy?

Thanks, but why to post here, and not in my diary? Curious.

Parra, this is beautiful in its humbleness and simplicity. Could I have your permission to “harvest” this to send to a few of my spiritual friends via e-mail? It speaks volumes to me, and I’m sure it would to others. Please let me know. Thanks.

my bike refers to a none motorized vehicle.. unless im a motor lol.. yeah so i fell off a thing with two wheels and two petals and yeah i looked like a moron but i had fun! :)take care hun, God bless sarah :)Smile!!

RYN: Parra-Thanks. I have “lifted” this to send on to my friends.