Lent: Surrender

Another week has passed. God continues to work in my heart and show me so much that I need to learn about life, about God, about love...and about pain and hardship. In my last "Lent" post, I wrote about sacrifice. I shared that God was showing me how real sacrifice (similar to the greatest sacrifice ever, which was made by His Son) comes with much pain and difficulty. It truly seems, as we live life, we are surrounded by so much pain and difficulty. This past week, I have discovered that pain and hardship can touch those closest to us, as well. 

This past week, I've learned that, both my stepfather and father-in-law, who each have struggled with physical ailments, were found to each have a mass in their abdomens. (Talk about timing!) They will each soon undergo testing to see if the masses are cancer or not. I am learning through this difficult time, that all we can do as a family is love each other, pray, and surrender all to God! I covet your prayers for both my parents and my husband's parents. 

During this lent season, there may be so much for each of us to surrender up to God in our lives. 

Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Surrendering your life means:

• Following God's lead without knowing where he's sending you;

• Waiting for God's timing without knowing when it will come;

• Expecting a miracle without knowing how God will provide;

• Trusting God's purpose without understanding the circumstances.

Genuine surrender says, "Father, if this problem, pain, sickness, or circumstance is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or in another's life, please don't take it away!" 

This level of maturity doesn't come easy. In Jesus' case, he agonized so much over God's plan that he sweated drops of blood. Surrender is hard work. In our case, it requires intense warfare against our self-centered nature.  source

True surrender will always go beyond natural devotion. If we will only give up, God will surrender Himself to embrace all those around us and will meet their needs, which were created by our surrender. Beware of stopping anywhere short of total surrender to God. Most of us have only a vision of what this really means, but have never truly experienced it. source

This song below is one I've sung many times in church, but now the words and tune comes back to my mind and all I can do is sing it.

Prayer:

O God, early in the morning I cry to you. Help me to pray; and to concentrate my thoughts on you; I cannot do this alone.

In me there is darkness, but with you there is light; I am lonely, but you do not leave me; I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help; I am restless, but with you there is peace. In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience; I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me. . . .

Restore me to liberty, and enable me to live now that I may answer before you and before men. Lord, whatever this day may bring, I pray that I will surrender all to You!

Amen.

Prayer from Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Germany, 1906-1945)

Psalms 121 NLT

1 I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? 2 My help comes from the lord , who made heaven and earth! 3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. 4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. 5 The lord himself watches over you! The lord stands beside you as your protective shade. 6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. 7The lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. 8 The lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Source

Another song that came to mind to help me remember that God tells us to come as we are to Him!!

Lent is the season,when we look toward Easter, the Resurrection. When our lives are placed in Christ, then we share in his life, both the good and the bad. We share in his sufferings, in his death, in his righteousness and in his resurrection. As God’s children, we are co-heirs with Christ, sharing in who he is and what he has done. Some of us will spend time in reflection, repentance, and self-denial. As we do these things, let us do so with a sense of surrender...knowing we are united with him — forever in glory!    Source

Linking up at these blog hops:

Sunday Stillness (He Cares For You)

Weekend Brew (My Freshly Brewed Life) 

Still Saturday (Sandra Heska King)

Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)

Monday's Musings (What Joy is Mine)

Mama Moments Monday (Mama's Story)

Soli Deo Gloria Gathering (Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood)

Titus 2 Tuesday (Cornerstone Confessions)

Tell Me a True Story Blog Hop

Coffee For Your Heart (Holly Gerth)

UNITE (Rich Faith Rising) 

Wednesdays (A Little R & R)

Beloved Brews @ Faith Barista

Blessing Counters Link-Up (Counting My Blessings)