Restoration: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

                                   Restoration

                                    May be restored

                                    by His mercy

                                    does not leave us

                                    in our mistakes

                                    whether chosen or

                                    accidental

                                    but renews our

                                    wholeness through

                                    chastisement and love

                                    bringing forgiveness

                                    new beginnings

                                    mended life.

Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Reflection: Restored: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Have you had someone deny you forgiveness?

2.     Have you denied yourself the possibility of forgiveness?

3.     In what ways does that make you wonder about God’s gift of restoration?

4.     What part of you needs to trust in order to accept: mind, heart, or will?

5.     What defines restoration for you personally?

Restored: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Jeremiah 31: 18, “I have surely heard Ephraim grieving, Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, like an untrained calf; Bring me back that I may be restored, For Thou art the Lord my God.”

May be restored.

Sometimes our grief can so envelop us that we cannot see clearly or discern the difference between chastisement or condemnation, both towards ourselves and towards others. So the separation and the isolation build brick walls around our hearts.

May be restored.

Scripture says chastise. A door open to forgiveness and restoration and renewal. In God’s hands there is no sin that cannot be forgiven. No sin that cannot be survived. In His hands and in His care and in His mending ways.

May be restored.

Step by step sometimes in agonizing slowness. And yet the grief can be unveiled and with each layer His presence brings clearer sight. Clearer vision to begin again.

May be restored.

Soak this promise into each one of us, Lord, so that we will always bring our tears and sins, and denials, into Your hands remembering that You stand by us in truth, love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Your thoughts,