A psalm of thanks

Praise be to God, the almighty father
He alone knows all things
He alone has planned all things

They said to me: Surely, God has not planned this
Surely, you have missed God's call
For the Lord rewards those who follow Him
And from those who do not follow Him
He withholds his blessing
And you are clearly not blessed

But I sought the Lord, and he allowed me to find Him
I said to God: Here I am, use me Lord
To you I dedicate my life
My will is to do your will in all things

I asked God to direct my steps, and He led my feet
I asked him to teach me, and He taught wisdom
He did not repay my shortsightedness with scorn
Nor did he look upon my doubts
as if they were a withdrawal of my commitments
God did not pay me restitution for my pride
nor the consequences of my sins

The Lord is gracious and generous
His rewards are not as we see them
nor his instructions as we would expect
His ways are beyond our ways
And his plans much further than our plans

I sought the Lord and he answered me
He did not answer me in the manner which I expected
Or with the things I expected an answer from
But the Lord did indeed answer me.
I did not perceive His ways
But he taught me them nonetheless
I did not fathom God's goodness
But he graced me with it despite my imprudence

selah

I wish to make the Most High my dwelling place
There will I find peace, there I will stay
He has brought me thus far, and I will not doubt Him
The Lord is good to those who love Him always
Always is the Lord good.