Must Be an Age Thing . . .

I don't know what it is about age, but the struggle to repent when we find ourselves on the wrong path or simply facing a new path that we don't know how to navigate very well is only getting harder. This has been a tough week for me. I'm feeling the stress of lots of new changes in my life. I haven't handled them very well sometimes, and I found myself pleading often for God's love to enter my heart.

This morning before church wasn't much better than the rest of the week. If I didn't have a testimony that Church is for the sinner not the saint, I would have stayed home. That testimony is only stronger now. Since I print the Sacrament bulletin, I knew what the Sacrament hymn was. A very familiar hymn to many members, I wasn't prepared for the love that would fill my heart to overflowing as we sang this before partaking of the Sacrament today.

193 I Stand All Amazed (click on the link to hear it now)
1. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

[Chorus] Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

2. I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

[Chorus] Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

3. I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

[Chorus] Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

Text and music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1856-1932

Sometimes God allows us to struggle alone for a while, but His love and His grace are nevertheless real. I'm so grateful I hung in there this week and continued knocking until He answered. He continues answering my prayers and giving a rebellious soul His wonderful peace.