Against the Grain, and. Lord, all I can say

We had attended a conference at our church with the focus, "Against the Grain"; I came away changed (I thought) and determined; then came a challenge.

Against the Grain

It's hard to cut against the grain because
It brings a lot of pain,
Because the cost is so high,
Because the flesh is unwilling to die.

It's hard to cut against the grain and lay the pieces another way,
It's hard to take a different direction, re-lay each piece
With patience then skill when it goes against the "old man's" will.

It's hard to cut against the grain; mere inertia calls so siren-like.
But one must so go for the Cross is there;
God's Only Son He did not spare.

Subsequent to the conference, Garry and I found ourselves involved in a situation which eventually ended humanly unresolved in December when the other person involved died suddenly.

Lord, all I can say

Lord,
All I can say is,
Thy will be done,
And say this in the confidence that
Thy will will be done,
In this as in all else,
Thy will be done.
I can say it not only in the confidence of Your omnipotence,
I can say it also in the confidence of all other characteristics
You have, You are,
Eternally
Unchanging
Sovereign,
Ruling all from Your throne,
Thy will be done, Thine alone.