Dear Father,

Thank you. I couldn’t list all of the things I am and should give you gratitude for because the list would be so long and my human mind would surely leave something out. I am grateful for everything. Above all, I am grateful that you loved us so much that you saw we needed help to be able to be with you and you sent your son, perfect and blameless, as the lamb, the sacrifice to stand in our place and do what you knew we would never be able to do ourselves. I cannot fully comprehend a love so big. As a person who has sought love all her life, who has been abandoned and rejected over and over, even by her own family, I cannot express in words how full my heart becomes when I think on just how much you love me. And that brings me to the gratitude I have to you for allowing me to experience such heartbreaking things, because it was through those things that you walked with me quietly and patiently and directed me in such perfect timing, opening my eyes at just the right moment to see you and to understand that you were there working faithfully. You knew me so well to know exactly what would cause me to “see” you and you knew exactly when. Without those heartbreaking trials, without experiencing rejection and abandonment on this earth, maybe I wouldn’t be able to know you like I do now and have the desire to want more.

I am like a baby learning how to walk and Father, you know I keep falling down. Every time I do, your hand reaches out.

I find it so hard to let go of things and people even when I know they are not for me and are not from you, because I long for human connection and the silence without can sometimes be deafening. I am coming to understand though that I can be grateful for that silence and I am learning that I am never alone and that those are the times when you want me to come closer to you.

I have made idols of people out of the need to feel accepted and loved and I understand this season of stillness and quietness is so purposeful to teach me that I always have you and that I need to look to you and depend on you first. When I am ready, Lord, I know you will provide. All I need is to look to the ways you have already so abundantly provided for me.

Father, you are the greatest love I have ever known. Thank you for your faithfulness and for being consistent and persistent and patient with me. You know my hard headed ways and you know that I have learned to rely on myself. Thank you for teaching me and continuing to teach me that I can allow myself to rest and trust in you, you will always be there, my shelter, my helper, my provider because you ARE love and you love me.

Please accept my prayer of gratitude.

I pray that your light shines through me today and that as I learn to rest in this season of healing and restoration that you will expand my territory into places and to people who will help me to understand my purpose and who will bless me and I them in ways that are pleasing to you. Help me to leave behind the old, false ways of seeking that lead me to hollow relationships and heartbreak. Help me to have the discernment that will lead to peace in leaving behind the ones that are not for me, knowing that it’s your protection and guidance and NOT a loss.

Please help me continue to grow in knowledge of your Word and for it to be written on my heart for when I need it.

I love you, I need you, and I am grateful to you!

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen! 🙏 ♥️