by David Smith Father in heaven, it amazes me how You thought of me before I was. According to Your eternal purpose,You, in the fulness of time, have arranged for me to be. You did not, do not, will not need me. Yet I am, so I know You must have wanted to make me. I am because of Your good pleasure. So I praise You, my Father, for the gift of life! May I not use this gift foolishly, live it selfishly or treat it lazily. I know You have caused me to be for such a time as this; I live here and now because You will it so. So may I be given eyes to look ahead and see what You would have me to be. May I be given a vision of what You would have me to do. Might I be bold enough to look ahead to plan and order my life accordingly. And yet, Father, may I be submissive to Your endless work in making me still. As You made me once, I know You desire to re-make me daily. I know Your thoughts are not my thoughts and Your ways are not my ways; You are the One who does far more than I can ask or imagine. When could any of my plans ever compare to most simple of Yours? Remind me again and again that you are Lord and I am not. So I ask that you give me eyes to discern and interpret the difference between distractions I should ignore and interruptions You have planned. When things do not go as I have planned, may I be given vision from you to see what You have arranged. Might I be humble enough to cast my pride into the sea and my plans to the winds when I perceive Your hand at work in what I first called intrusions or hindrances. And Father, if it is not mine to see these things, may it be enough for me to humble myself and do what I can with what you give me in the moment. My life is nothing, and yet it is precious to You. I know You will not allow my live lived in Your name to go in vain. And I know that I am not the one who accomplishes, but I am the tool in Your hand. Finally Father, today I ask not so much that I succeed as the world defines success. I ask that You assist me in being faithful instead. Deliver me from trying to do Your job or taking Your place, but lead me to peace in my place and to doing my job in Your Son’s name. Amen.