Things that You have done

Lord, how do I count the things that You have done?
They are as numerous as the sands on the shore or the stars in the sky.
They are as small as an ant and as big as the universe.
Every day You bless us with glorious sunrise and sunset.
Each one is matchless, irreplaceable and exceptional in magnificence splendor.
You cause the sun to shine on us; giving us warmth, light and life.
You gave the stars and moon that we might find our way in darkness.
You cause the seasons to change bringing new miracles with each one
From the changing of the leaves, to new growth and buds bursting forth.
Your deeds are as great as setting the water in heaven and the sea in their place.
You send the rains that give life and cause the earth to bring forth fruit and feed all things.
Has anyone ever made a garden as gorgeous, exquisite and perfect as Your?
You supply the very air we breathe without which we would die.
You place the blessing of new life in each of Your creations to come forth at their time.
Yet the smallest detail of the lowest creature was not designed by chance
There is nothing insignificant to You and You considered all of life’s requirements
From the butterflies’ wings, to the elephant’s nose, to whale’s blow spout,
To the number of leaves on ivy, to the moss hidden beneath the snow, or tallest tree.
How many types of plants and animals are there? Can anybody count them?
A thousand years have passed and we are still finding new ones.
Yet You know the number of hairs on our head
And where the robin will find her food or make her nest.
Not one snowflake is like another one. Each one is unique just as You planned.
There are fish that never see the light of day yet, You know their path.
You blessed the daylily with a beautiful gown even though it last but a day.
The mighty mountains lift up their heads unto heaven reaching for Your glory.
The valleys fall down and bow before Your presents.
The great Red Sea blushed and parted at Your say,
And Galilee water’s stood still at your voice.
The Ocean’s waves keep their place forever bound by Your hand.
Every living thing declares Your greatness, Your love and Your glory.
Life and death lay in Your hands. Time itself is at Your command.

You made the angels and the souls of men that will never pass away.
Everything that You created was good, and complete but one, Man.
You created man in Your image to be Your child, Your bride, and Your friend.
You endowed him with every good gift, wisdom, and unbounded love.
You gave to him the ability to choose good and evil,
But man was not yet complete so having never know a lie he fell into sin’s allure
Not knowing the cost or that it lead to death, he embraced its call.
He had not learned to bend his ways to Yours, nor that it was You that gave him power.
He had not known yet the true meaning of the depth and power of love.
He had not the wisdom to know that Your ways are best and not his own.
He believed that he could be equal to Your person.
Yet as with all creation, You had a plan for redemption
For You could see the past, present and future.

Lord, how do I count the things that You have done?
Before man knew or cared that he was lost You came looking for him.
You left the brilliance, wonder and grandeur of heaven
Where every second Your were worshiped and praised has King
To come into a world that had no room for You and knew You not.
You gave up the ability to be everywhere, everyplace, and know everything
To be a helpless babe trapped in a dying body dependent upon man.
You went from angels bowing before You, to lowly shepherds.
You went from heaven golden throne to a simple trough of hay.
You traded Your robe of white for swaddling clothes.
You went from a world of no sadness, sorrows or tears
To the earth below so that You would know our weakness and temptations.
You went form a world of health and wealth to one of sickness and poverty.
For this mighty act of love, You were hated, despised and rejected by man.
In time You grew into a man, yet You knew no sin.
Still the world placed its shame upon your shoulders.
You spoke of love with every breathe You took.
You had mercy for the sick, healing the hurting, freeing the captives.
Not once did You turn one person away unchanged.
Life giving miracles You gave, asking nothing in return.
Each need You met completely and perfectly in Your time.
You fed the hungry and thirsty in both their body and soul.
You cried for man to come back into a place of right standing with God.
Man ears where open yet he still did not hear because his heart was cold.
His eye saw the wonders and was in awe but did not understand.
Man was so use to making his own way that he missed God’s way.
So yet again, You humbled Yourself and allow man’s courts authority to rule.
You know that sin had a price, and that righteousness demanded it to be paid in full.
Man had yet to ask forgiveness and knew not his folly.
But yet again, You humbled Yourself into the Father plan and will.
You took the abuse, the cruelty, the exploitation, the violence and insults of man.
Jesus freely walked a road to Cavalry that man could not, so that man might live.
You open wide Your arms and said this is love. See how much I love You.
I came to break the curse of death on you.
I came that you might know life again.
I came that you might know joy and forgiveness.
I came that you might have a future and a hope again.
I came to bring my lost sheep safely home.

Lord, how do I count the things that You have done?
They are as unimportant as hearing my selfish prayer.
They are as earthshaking as saving my soul.
They are as tender as Your never ending mercies.
They are as powerful as Your forgiveness that washes me clean.
Your blessing are undeserved and total without merit.
My choices demanded my death.
Yet You stand before the Father and say I claim this one.
Assure her that she is loved and acceptable.
Give to her all the rights, privileges, and blessing that You would give me.
Take away all unworthiness. See her as holy because I am holy.
Love her because she loves me and calls upon my name.
Hear and answer her prayers as You would mine.
Pour out the healing oil upon her heart and soul restoring its joy, and peace
Touch her shoulders and removing all life’s burdens.
Rest the Holy Spirit in her to teach her and guide her.
Give to her every spiritual blessing and every good thing.
Set Your angels around her to guard and protect her.

Lord, how do I count the things that You have done?
How does one say thanks for saving me from death and Hell?
How does one say thanks for that kind of Love?
I know not how. Eternity is not enough time.
To give all the praise and thanks that You deserve
And each new day brings only more.

Kathy Barnes
Copyright 12-03-09