“And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” // 1 John 5:11
Thank You, Father, for Your gift of Eternal Life.
Through the sanctifying waters of Baptism,
You have given me a New Life:
Eternal Life is in Christ Jesus, my Lord.
As we set off into this New Year of 2023,
give me the Grace to remember my identity before you.
On the day of my baptism,
You witnessed the birth of Christ’s life in me.
Help me to perceive the supernatural reality
that when You look at me, you see Christ.
I find profound rest in Your words of Truth:
“You are My beloved daughter, with you I am well pleased” (see Mark 1:11).
How is it that I can forget
the indwelling of the Holy Trinity
within my distracted heart?
May Your presence be my joy and strength!
And while I may inadvertently overlook
Your choice to dwell within me,
I remain grateful for Your faithful presence
throughout every moment of my life.
I am poor. You are rich.
I am weak. You are strong.
I am unworthy. You are worthy.
And I am loved unconditionally.
My imperfections do not hinder
Your repeated choice of me.
Nothing can separate me from Your love.
Nothing!
Continue to purify my heart.
Guide me to a deeper discovery and delight
in the warmth of Your unwavering presence.
My heart is Your home.
I look forward to the life of the world to come (see Nicene Creed).
What a joy it will be to see each other face-to-face.
Maybe then I will start to comprehend
the endless heights and depths of Your love.
Rose Coleman is an elementary school teacher with a heart for pilgrimage. She traveled the globe on a ship during college and spent some years in the convent as a religious sister. She was a contributing author to All She Had, Blessed Conversations: Rooted, and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
Be a Woman of the Word
