Sincerely Yours

When I was about 16 years old I sang a song called 'Sincerely Yours' at church. This morning while I was getting ready for a Christmas Party, God brought this song back to me out of the blue. All day, while traveling, enjoying friends, talking, serving, waiting in line, all day I've been thinking about the words. I want to share them and some of my reflection from today:

Lord, I take my pen to write to you a letter
Knowing even now you know what's on my mind
But I think perhaps it might make me feel better
if I see myself here written in a line
And as I close I see a phrase I've took for granted
And it leaps out as I see it written there
And as the truth of it begins to become implanted
These two words have now become my heartfelt prayer
Sincerely Yours
Lord, I sign my life to you
Sincerely Yours
With a strong and honest wish to be the best that I can be at what I am
Without a thought for me
Lord teach me now to be... Sincerely Yours
Without a proud or selfish line
Sincerely Yours
From now until there is no time
Please make my life become a letter you can keep and never throw away
I'll write it till the day that I become
Sincerely Yours... Sincerely Yours...Sincerely Yours.

As I wrestle with how does Ukraine and my love for the people here fit into what God wants for me, this song brought me to my knees this morning. It's always interesting to remember songs sung and lessons taught and then see the circumstances and life events that God brings across my path following them. So, today I reflected on what does 'sincerely yours' to God look like? I've had moments, hours, days where I was sincerely sold out to God, but honestly monthly and yearly consistency is almost impossible, isn't it? So, I revisited my life's letter today.

I am ashamed by the selfishness and am humbled through so many friends life experiences here in Ukraine. I am amazed at the many open doors here for ministry.

I think about jobs, things I've occupied my time with; some profitable and many others not...

I am reminded of God's grace. That only because He first loved me that I am His.

That I yearn for God's voice in my daily life. That I depend on Him to bring people into my life who need His touch. And, that even in my disappointment in others and changes in ministry focus that He is in control and knows what is best for me and that He orchestrates what is ahead. In my delusion of control and self direction, only He knows what is in store, whether it's 1 hour or 10 years ahead.

So, today I take my pen and write again a letter to God and sign it simply, Sincerely Yours.