The What If Waves...

I come to you now with arms open wide.  Lord let your words and let this prayer flow down onto the page.

Father Father the waves of "what if's",
A storm within my heart,
Every peak threatening to overwhelm me
Threatening to sink this already small ship
"What if..."

You seemed to have slept beneath the brow
without a care in the world.
Even as I am swept aside by an oncoming wave
"What if..."

"LORD HELP ME!" I cried
"Do you not care that my ship is sinking?
Do you now care if I drown?"
"What if..."   "I am overwhelmed"

I did not see you in that moment.
I did not see that you were never really asleep
I did not see that you had seen this moment,
Planned for this moment from eternity past.

You have never left me
Nor will you ever forsake me
I am afraid
I am so afraid Lord.

Help me to see you as you speak to the waves.
Let me hear you rebuke the winds.
I want to know your embrace
As you rebuke my small faith.

What if it is awful?
Lord will you be with me?
Will you comfort me?

Will I experience your peace?
Or better yet your presence?

Where will you be when I call?
Will I know that you are near?
Lord help me, because I cannot live this life
even one moment without the confident knowledge that you are with me.

Lord I don't want an awful semester.
I am afraid of it.
But this I know
I know that the Lord is my Sheppard
I have EVERYTHING I need.
You make me lie down in green pastures
and you walk me by quiet streams
Lord you are the refresher of my soul.
I have everything I need in you.
You guide me along right paths
for your names sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley
I no longer need to fear
for your presence will protect and comfort me.
Lord you even lay a feast before me.
Even in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint me, the least of your people, with oil.
My cup, the blessings that you have given me,
they overflow.

Surely the goodness and love of the Lord will follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the presence of the Lord forever!
Lord hear this prayer,
That though the tides of fear threaten
and the waves batter against my soul.
I will follow the Lord, who is my God forever.
May your name be praised this semester.
And may you be glorified in me.
In Jesus name,
Amen