Christmas Past

Can it only be a few minutes since you’ve departed
It feels like it’s been such a very long time

I can’t quite imagine
What Christmas would have been like without you

You filled a big house on a hill
With warmth, fun, love and laughter

For just a few days
I got to forget how lonely I’ve been

I was able to spend time with someone filled with grace
Who overlooks my faults and loves me anyway

This Christmas, I truly realized
A house is not a home without love

To Ron and Carol…thank you for a wonderful Christmas!

by Susan Wachtel
December 28, 2014

I AM With You

My precious daughter

I want to assure you

I AM right there with you

In your grief

As you weep

I weep with you

I desire to wipe your tears

With My nail pierced hands

Your tears are most precious to Me

I hold each tear that falls in a bottle

I understand your heart which is exceedingly sorrowful

Over the brokenness in this world

At times you may feel all alone

When you are crushed by the heaviness of sorrow and pain

Trust the promises in My Word

I AM with you and I will never leave nor forsake you

There is a day coming

In which there will be no more sorrow, death or pain

Until that day, My precious daughter

Rest assured, for I AM with you

Susan Wachtel

August 8, 2014

Battle Lines

Today the battle is on

The fighting is fierce

My enemy is cunning and strategic

Help me to not fight alone

Or rely on my own strength, wisdom, power and might

May I have the victory in Christ alone

Before the battle begins let me prepare my mind

Thoughts taken captive in obedience to Christ

The victory will begin with praise and thanksgiving

Through this battle

May You be glorified, honored and praised

When the evening falls may I stand victorious in Christ

by Susan Wachtel

July 25, 2014

Providence

It seems Your hand of providence

Is best understood when looking back

As I move forward in faithful obedience

I see that You have prepared the way

I feel Your gentle hand guiding me

Directing my footsteps

With each step taken I can clearly see

That You have gone before me and prepared the way

Lord, I must confess that I don’t understand

The whys and wherefore of this new chapter

I’m not certain what You will be doing in me

Or how You might use me as part of Your plan

When I feel weak and overwhelmed

Help me to cry out to You for strength, wisdom and peace

Help me to not hesitate in fear of the unknown

But unwaveringly follow Your lead

by Susan Wachtel

July 10, 2014

Imperfect Forgiveness

Just when I thought I’d moved beyond it

I see wounds from the past and brokenness

Still impacting me today

Time has moved on

As has the one who fell short

Leaving scars in their wake

This side of heaven

My questions will remain unspoken

“Why?” and “What were you thinking?” will not be answered

I wish I had been able to talk it through

Or hear “I’m sorry”

And confess my sins against them too

Lord I need to forgive completely

Not dredge it up again

Let the pain remain in the past, not feel it afresh

Lord, I need to follow Your example

Forgive completely, once and for all

Cancel their debt

Help me to remember

Not only did Jesus pay my sin debt in full

But He died for the sins of the world

You are lavish in grace, mercy and forgiveness

Not holding my sin debt against me

You have cast my sin into the sea of forgetfulness

I need to remember

Unforgiveness is a sin

Like all sin, I must repent of it

Show me how to live this out day by day

Help me to remember that You never waste my trials and pain

You are working things out according to Your perfect plan

Thank You God that Your forgiveness is not like mine

You forgive fully and completely, even to the uttermost

Heavenly Father, help me to be more like You

by Susan Wachtel

June 19, 2014

Far Beyond

When my circumstances are far beyond me

I acknowledge Your ways are not my ways

Far beyond my understanding

When I’m in the dark place

You are my ray of light

Guiding my next step on the path before me

Father, when I am inconsolable

It’s in Your presence I find peace

It’s You alone Who can comfort me

When grief and tears consume me

You whisper hope in my ear

Jesus, my confidence is in You alone

When words fail me

Your Holy Spirit perfectly translates my groans

Into prayers before Your throne of grace

When my world crumbles around me

You take up the dark and jagged pieces

Work them perfectly into Your sovereign plan

But LORD, right now

I just need You to hold me

Be here with me in my grief

by Susan Wachtel

March 23, 2014