approval washes over me and I
put down my needless empty leaden pack
a taxing budless bale of useless weight
a fraud I sometimes carry on my back
it’s barren branches break beneath my feet
as swiftly I advance to higher field
and I am light and quick, and gladness fueled
as favor and the altitude reveals
a crystal view atop a holy hill
the landscape stretched for me to clearly know
that every hair upon my head is dear
and counted by my Lord who loves me so

Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.  Matthew 10:31

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.  Hebrews 12:1

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14

image: “like the dream, but it’s real” by Susie Anderson