my thoughts are a jumbled mess, but here they are anyway...

I'm not usually one to be very open about my faith unless I'm asked about it or I'm in a situation where other people are talking about theirs, but I sure would be leaving out the majority of my life if I didn't say something on here every now and then. In the past few days (really the past few years, but I'll start with recently) I have been so blown away by God's goodness and how He really does keep His promises.. not even just long-term, but He honestly takes care of us down to the tiniest detail, every step of the way. He continually, time and time again, takes really crappy (couldn't think of a better word there-- sorry) situations and turns them into something so beautiful I want to cry just thinking about it. He works in our lives, but what really gets me is how he works in our hearts-- specifically mine. My heart is just overflowing with thankfulness for all He is. My life is so full of hope. I never have reason for even the slightest bit of despair (not that I don't sometimes forget this), because I simply remember is that God is completely good. All I have to do is look back. His faithfulness stretches as far back as I can see, and because of who He is and what He's done, I am able to have complete confidence that it will never end!

(This old hymn by Martin Luther is stuck in my head. It's one of my all-time favorites)
From depths of woe I raise to Thee
The voice of lamentation;
Lord, turn a gracious ear to me
And hear my supplication;
If Thou iniquities dost mark,
Our secret sins and misdeeds dark,
O who shall stand before Thee?

To wash away the crimson stain,
Grace, grace alone availeth;
Our works, alas! are all in vain;
In much the best life faileth:
No man can glory in Thy sight,
All must alike confess Thy might,
And live alone by mercy.

Therefore my trust is in the Lord,
And not in mine own merit;
On Him my soul shall rest, His Word
Upholds my fainting spirit:
His promised mercy is my fort,
My comfort, and my sweet support;
I wait for it with patience.

What though I wait the livelong night,
And till the dawn appeareth,
My heart still trusteth in His might;
It doubteth not nor feareth:
Do thus, O ye of Israel’s seed,
Ye of the Spirit born indeed;
And wait till God appeareth.

Though great our sins and sore our woes,
His grace much more aboundeth;
His helping love no limit knows,
Our utmost need it soundeth.
Our Shepherd good and true is He,
Who will at last His Israel free.
From all their sin and sorrow.