"Himself"

What happens when God changes us through prayer? I believe this poem outlines the results beautifully:

Once it was the blessing,
Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling,
Now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted,
Now the giver own;
Once I sought for healing,
Now Himself alone.

Once 'twas painful trying.
Now 'tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation,
Now the uttermost.
Once 'twas ceaseless holding,
Now He holds me fast;
Once 'twas constant drifting,
Now my anchor's cast.

Once 'twas busy planning,
Now 'tis trustful prayer;
Once 'twas anxious caring,
Now He has the care.
Once 'twas what I wanted
Now what Jesus says;
Once 'twas constant asking,
Now 'tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working,
His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him,
Now He uses me.
Once the power I wanted,
Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored,
Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus,
Now I know He's mine;
Once my lamps were dying,
Now they brightly shine.
Once for death I waited,
Now his coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored
Safe within the veil.
-A.B. Simpson

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The first time I truly internalized this song, I was in tears. I was at a very low point in life and I just kept asking God why he would keep using a failure (me) as His servant. Then he reminded me that if His love gauged on my victories and losses, I would've never felt the Father's love in the first place. Isn't it wonderful that God loves us just because..well, He does?! :) So amazing.

I was reminded & encouraged that God makes "beautiful things out of the dust," and through our flawed lives He can still use us to do HUGE things for Him, long as we have a willing heart to be used.