I Love this Song. It Speaks My Heart.

I have images in my mind of my life and all that I've walked through, the years, and I see Him revealing so much of Him and of my heart. 

He has always known what I didn't.

And still does, certainly.  He's God!

I was born anew, redeemed, given new life in Christ,

in March of 1968.  I was 16.  Even now, at age almost 60, I remember my heart's desire was for Him to have all of me - It was all a classic case of complete rebirth all at once.  I mean, my being fully aware of it all at once.  I knew that my life was no longer my own - I had been bought with the price of the blood of Christ and I gave Him all of me - surrendered all.  I fell deep in love with my Savior.

Unfortunately, I still had this wretched flesh to live with and in these 44 years God has .... well ....

the lyrics to this song help me to undersand 

so many paths in my life -

I've included pictures which illustrate a lifetime of aging.

The pictures don't depict trials, but blessings.

(I mean, aren't our snapshots meant to reveal the best we have?)

I , though, know every stage, and how God "made me feel the hidden evils of my heart".

I asked the Lord that I might grow

In faith, and love, and every grace;

Might more of His salvation know,

And seek, more earnestly, His face.

Twas He who taught me thus to pray,

And He, I trust, has answered prayer!

But it has been in such a way,

As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,

At once He’d answer my request;

And by His love’s constraining power,

Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel

The hidden evils of my heart;

And let the angry powers of hell

Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed

Intent to aggravate my woe;

Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,

Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,

Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?

‘Tis in this way, the Lord replied,

I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,

From self, and pride, to set thee free;

And break thy schemes of earthly joy,

That thou may’st find thy all in Me.

I wish the reader could hear the song played.

It's from the Indelible Grace album.

it really does take such a lifetime, 

His changing His child into His likeness.

He has answered my prayer for grace and faith.

Until I go home to be with Him,

well, there'll be more of the stripping and of the laying low

and of course all the blessings.  

In Christ, all is a blessing.