“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
– James 4:8-10
“Returned and Kept”
I draw my footsteps close, slow to Your door, hands scrubbed of hurry, palms emptied of claim. Where pride once kept its ledger, I lay down the score, and let the quiet wash me clean in Your name.
Purify the corners of my restless heart, teach my eyes to see with mercy’s gentle light. When sorrow shapes my soul and tears do their part, let mourning be the doorway to a humbler sight.
Bend me, not break me; teach me to repent, to bow where once I stood on brittle, stubborn ground. You lift the lowly up, my promise, my intent, to keep what I have vowed, to answer when You’re found.
So here I stand, a softened, faithful thing, drawn near, made whole, and offering what I bring.
Dear Blessed Lord Jesus, I draw near to You; cleanse my heart and make me humble. Help me honor every gift and keep every promise I make to You. Teach me true repentance, lift the lowly, and shape my life by Your grace. Forgive me for anything I have done wrong. Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Your Mighty and precious Name Lord Jesus Amen.
