In the wild confusion of my life, I saw your face
A kind countenance making bright my days
Through rugged tracks when I stumbled along
I felt an unseen hand holding me strong

When bewildered by the horrid scenes of death
You assured that life extends beyond mortal breath
When lost in the dank and dark alley of wickedness
You diverted my steps into the well lit path of righteousness

When I gloated over my own trivial accomplishments
You reminded me of my littleness through mild chastisements
When I lost myself in the grip of vanity
You opened my inner eye to restore my sanity

When tossed by the currents of fiery storms
Lord! You made me seek the safety of your arms
When drowning in the sea of escalating pain
You sustained and strengthened me and kept me sane

Many got wiped out from the face of the Earth
Without seeing the New Year’s birth
Thank you for allowing me to see this glorious dawn
‘Extend your hand’, I pray, for me to hold on!

Make me feel, you are there in every rhythm of my life
More when life becomes burdensome with problems rife
Over the arid deserts and the stormy turbulent sea
I pray to be by my side as an abiding presence, piloting me

My Lord! Without you my life will be in peril
Never let me fall into the snares of the devil
Do not desert me, stay by my side now and ever
Be my guiding light and sanctify my every endeavor!

I shake off the chains of the past.
At last.
I look forward.
To what lies ahead.
New life.
New time.
New journey of discovery.
Of ministry.

New discovery.
New Year.
Of finding out more
of who He is.
And why He laid hold of me.

I lay my head against His chest.
Safe in His embrace.
And then take His hand.
As together we walk.
Into the future.
Into.
A New Year.

I am like a crooked little Christmas tree.
My trunk is bent.
Branches are broken off.
In various places.
My needles are drying up.
And falling off.
Imperfect.
Flawed.
Broken.
Misshapen.
Distorted by sin.

And yet...
Still He loves me.
Because He bought me.
For a very high price.
The Blood of His Son.
Still He loves me.
In all my twistedness.
In all my waywardness.
Because He owns me.

I am like a crooked Christmas tree.
But He still puts His Light upon me.
And adorns me with His Love.
Transforming me.
From broken.
From crooked.
To beautiful.

Do not gloat over me.
Do not mock me, my Enemy.
For though I fall down.
I will rise.
Though I am wounded now.
I shall be healed.
Though I am weary.
I shall gain new strength.
Though I grieve now.
I shall yet rejoice.
This battle-weary soldier.
Shall yet
be strong.
Again.
Do not gloat over me, O my Enemy.
Victory shall yet be mine.
In Christ my King.
Do not.
Gloat.
Over me.

He buries the pain of her past.

He covers the stain of her sin.

Beneath rose petals.

The colour of Blood.

Beneath rose petals.

Of

His

Love.