Tucked in my Bible are several things that are incredibly precious to me. There is a picture of Ethan and one of him and Emily together, a special bookmark with Ethan's obituary, the booklet from my father's funeral, several pictures Emily colored for me when she was younger, a poem about pastors' wives read to me during Pastor Appreciation one year, a poem about a child going to Heaven...
And there is a tattered piece of paper with a printed prayer. Many years ago, when my husband was ordained, this prayer by John Wesley was given to us by the Assemblies of God, along with these words:
"In the powerful words of John Wesley, I covet this prayer as a pattern for your own praying--- an unswerving and obedient surrender to His call upon your life!"
From time to time, I take this tattered piece of paper out of my Bible and read it to God with my whole heart:
Lord Jesus, if you will receive me into your house, if you will but own me as your servant, I will not stand upon terms; impose upon me what conditions you please, write down your own articles, command me what you will, put me to anything you see as good; let me come under your roof, let me be your servant... make me what you will, Lord and set me where you will... I put myself wholly into your hands: put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering, let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, exalted for you, or trodden under foot for you; let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing, I freely and heartily resign all to your pleasure and disposal.
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