Sometimes, I weep without tears.
Most of the time, I see all my fears.
I can’t find words for what I feel.
I hate the times when my thoughts reel.
I’m disappointed in life — it is so hard.
But my heart still beats — God is my guard.
For the Lord gives wisdom,
And from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
He stores up effective counsel for the upright,
And is like a shield for those who live with integrity,
To guard the paths of the righteous and to protect the way of His pious ones.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity – every good way.
For wisdom will enter your heart, and moral knowledge will be attractive to you.
Discretion will protect you, understanding will guard you…
~Proverbs 2:6-11
Am I upright? Do I live with integrity? Am I righteous or pious?
I don’t “feel” it, but He does declare it — in Christ.
I will follow His lead and search His word.
Do not be anxious about anything,
But in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
Present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,
Will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~Philippians 4:6-7
Thank you, Lord, for Your precious and magnificent promises. Help me rest in You.
Consider Jesus 
“Peace that passes all understanding …” That was in my head today too. Love you.
PS: You visited everywhere on my blog!! I’m so glad it was encouraging to you.
Yeah, Alece and I were roommates in the Teen Mania Internship program. (Have you heard about Teen Mania?) Natalie was also a roomie. I don’t know if you know Natalie, though. I have known them for … almost 12 years. Wow. Time creep up on ya, doesn’t it?
Yes, Annie. Time is fleeting!!
Y’all were teens 12 years ago…hmph! Wow…I had a 7, 4, and 1 year old then while trying to homeschool. A whole other world away.
I linked to your post on Truth in my last post: The Sin of Presumption. I really enjoyed reading it today. I did go everywhere – you have some great things to say! We actually used your post on the image of God – the kaleidoscope as part of our home worship time today. Keep it up, Annie. You never know who you are blessing, love you.
PS I don’t know about Teen Mania, could you fill me in? I have a couple of teens still at home. 😉
Hello Michelle! 🙂 Angie here. Thought I would return the favor and pop in to say hi.
Did a bit of browsing. I love that you site is absolutely saturated with scripture. So awesome!
So I am going to comment off of Annie’s comment… wow, you guys were roomies; that is just so interesting to me.
Teen Mania is where I got my feet wet with missions in ’96 and ’97. I wonder if it has changed much since way back when. I had a really great experience with them.
Have a good day!
Hey, Angie! Love your smile and that little guy of yours — spittin’ image. Amazing.
Yeah, that’s my “mission” — to spread the Word.
I did look into Teen Mania…still researching. I think I must be living under a rock, had never heard of them. And I’m in Texas!
Glad to make the connection. Still, FYP. 😉
Michelle-
I’m glad you found TM’s site. I highly recommend Teen Mania to teens. I know I was in 12 years ago, but I believe the majority of it has remained unchanged. One thing that has changed significantly is the size of it. My internship class had 42 graduates. I believe they have approaching 500 at a time now. That size (like in any thing) has it’s advantages and drawbacks. I don’t know how the intimate feel of it has changed since I was there as an intern. TM also has mission trips every summer and Christmas, during which thousands of teens go oversees and minister the gospel – mostly through drama. I went on two mission trips. It really is a fantastic experience as a teen. In addition to this, TM travels around the country (I think they have 2 teams now?) during the school year. Their “Acquire the Fire” youth conventions are explosive events. God used TM to solidify the things I had learned up to that point, and change some others – but mostly, crank up the fire that was already burning inside of me. I didn’t mean to go on about this. But yes, I do recommend it.
And WOW Michelle. I am stunned. Really? You used my post in your devotions? I am humbled. Thank you for the encouragement. I am SO glad it blessed you.
Praying that you are resting in HIM…my favorite place !
Hey Michelle,
“I hate the times when my thoughts reel” as well. However, it IS during these times when I write poetry too. I think Paul wrote quite a bit while in prison too.
Love your poem and your heart.
Hey, Annie. Thanks for the information. It might be exactly what my two would love. Yes, we did use it, for family worship. Everyone enjoyed it and it sparked some good discussion. 😉
Thanks, Darla. It’s quite overwhelming at times, but I’m reaching for Him.
Thanks, Ric. I’m a bit embarrassed about the poem. It’s so simple. But then…I’m not too deep. 🙄 The words about Paul are encouraging, thank you.
Well since you said “Its so simple” I decided to come back here and analyze part of the first line… to encourage you to look at this as perhaps not so simple.
So for example, “weep without tears” says so much. It describes the lump in our throats, the goosebumps, the heart string pulling feeling we get inside us when something powerfully emotional confronts us.
But then we quickly “catch ourselves” and “swallow hard.” We “get a grip.” We mentally and emotionally detach from that which is stirring this uncontrollable explosion inside. If we let it out we do not know what will happen. So since we cannot control powerful emotions, we deny them life and silently weep without tears.
You are saying a lot with just few words. These are true words – not only for you but for us all.
Wow, Ric. Thank you so much.
But… I think you broke the dam. It’s good to be understood.
“I don’t “feel” it, but He does declare it — in Christ.
I will follow His lead and search His word.”
This so amazes me!
He lavishes His grace upon us and it is so humbling.
So good to see your beautiful face, Selena. I’m relieved to hear your home was not damaged.
Michelle: Simple is best….unless it needs to get complicated… 😆
I hear your heart here and thank you for putting this post together. His Word…
“For the Lord gives wisdom,
And from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”
True wisdom…out of His mouth, interpreted correctly….life changing…
Ric: Wow….
Love you guys!
Love you too, Debs. Thanks. 😉
Michelle I so want your story for our book, but only if God leads you to share it in such a way.
I so think your story could fit in whatever is lovely.
Phil4: 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Love you sister