There’s a line in a prayer that I reflected on this morning that says,

>Let us bless thee at all times and forget not how thou hast >forgiven our iniquities, >healed our diseases, >redeemed our lives from destruction, >crowned us with lovingkindness and tender mercies, >satisfied our mouths with good things, >renewed our youth like the eagles. (Valley of Vision, 382)

There are two responses this that run through my heart and mind to this and they are intertwined. I think that they feed into one another.

On the one hand, I feel gratitude. The reality that God has done these things for me leaves me overwhelmed with thankfulness. As I meditate on God…

Forgiving us. Healing us. Redeeming us. Crowning us with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Satisfying us. Renewing us.

I am laid bare. He has done so much. The grace is overwhelming.

On the other hand, I am broken. I am broken because I don’t recognize this reality often enough. Too many times I am the ungrateful servant who though been forgiven refuses to do the same for my fellow servant.

Oh that I would learn to #LoveWell!

Oh that I would see in my neighbor a divine image bearer who I can extend grace and mercy too.

Oh that I would live as one crowned with lovingkindness and tender mercies!

How about you? How do you respond to that prayer?