Last night and again this morning God has the song "Hard Love" that Need To Breathe sings on my mind. I read the background of the song and found these words by the keyboardist:
"It's a fight song for the long journey between trials and redemption. It's about appreciating the wisdom and maturity that comes from hardship. Sometimes our ideas for what we think we need and what God knows we really need don't line up. We've been through situations we didn't think we'd make it out of, and this song is an encouraging message about what's ahead for us."
Life is full of challenges. We all have a choice on how we handle each and every one of them. We can lean into God's strength or we can allow the enemy an open door into our life. We can stand on the promises of God's Word or we can listen to people's opinions. It is a choice we all have to make every single day. When we make the choice to allow God to be our King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we make the choice to stand firm in our faith. Throughout the years of dealing with MS I have found myself wanting to give up when the disease felt like it would not calm down. When I was going through breast cancer with surgery and treatments, there were times I wanted to give up. Caring for Doc through sixteen months of pancreatic cancer was challenging to say the least. There were many times I wished I could take his place so he would not have to suffer. So many challenges yet God was always with me. He continues to be with me. I had a conversation with a friend the other night where I told her there are times I do not know how long I can continue doing what I am doing. There are days when I crawl into bed I am exhausted. The exhaustion is not always a physical one but is a mental and emotional one. God keeps me going and doing what He desires. It has become so much clearer to me over the last couple of years that I cannot change people nor is it my place to do so. God put me here on this earth to plant seeds. Sometimes He allows me to see those seeds come to life and other times He doesn't. I must continue to be in relationship with Him where I not only hear His voice but walk in obedience to it. I must remember the words to this song...
Hold on tight a little longer
What don't kill ya, makes ya stronger
Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love
You can't change without a fallout
It's gon' hurt, but don't you slow down
Get back up, 'cause it's a hard love
Dear Jesus, Thank You for rest yesterday and for protection from the storms last night! Thank You for loving me so greatly! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May people see/hear You through me today in a mighty way. I pray Your peace over many going through difficult days. May we all remember You are always here for us. I pray for continued strength for Kim as she recuperates from surgery and Little Henry with his health issues. I pray for: my Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Mike; Norma Hall; Little Jensen who needs a heart; Sharon Sebolt and her Momma Shirley; Serena and her husband; some young ladies with anxiety; a man in rehab for anger issues; a young man out of rehab who needs strength in his daily walk; a husband/father separated from his wife; Pastor Sam; Mary Lilley; Preacher Bill Watts; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; Timmy; Amber; families in turmoil; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many who are dealing with 'c' and/or going through treatments... Doug and Gay; Patty's daughter Tracy; Sharon's daughter Ashley and niece Amy; Chrissy's cousins; Debbie's husband Kelly; Cait's friend with leukemia; my pastor friend with daily chemo; Patti Perkins; Tammie; Betty's friend in New York; my friend diagnosed with mesothelioma; Dorothy's grandson; Little Ivy; and my friend who has upcoming radiation treatments. I pray for: Jonathan whose mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Russ and his family, the Long Family, June, Coley's Momma, and Christina and her family. I pray for all our military and their families to lean into Your strength. I pray for Larry Amstutz to have open doors as he seeks new employment. Lord, continue to be with Anna, Michael, Matt, and myself with 'tough' days without my Rickey with us. We all miss him so much but I know he is with You and for that I am thankful. Thank You for being My King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Amen.
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