Hands that Shaped are Holding...

I've got some things weighing heavy on my heart.  This morning was a lovely morning (felt very much like fall!) so I decided to grab my ipod with music and take a walk on our property.

As I was walking...
* I was listening to my music.
* I was thinking through some things.
* I was surrendering.
* I was praying...

I've walked the path through our 10 acres many times before.  You would think nothing should surprise me about the path it takes, the forage that lines it, the terrain it contains.

And yet, this morning I rounded a bend, looked up, and stopped in my tracks with a lump caught in my throat.

THIS....

And here's what made this stand out to me...

The song actively playing on my ipod at the time was "Your Hands" by J.J. Heller.  I was singing along, as if also praying, and the chorus led in to... "Your hands that shaped the world are holding me, they hold me still."

I am not even kidding.  As I turned the corner the words "Your hands that shaped the world" played, and in that moment, as if practiced numerous times to get it exactly on cue, I looked up and saw.... 

THIS...

Not broken.  Fully intact.  Almost as if purposely shaped from the trunk, bent over, and even for this very moment with all that is on my heart.... for me to be reminded.  Encouraged.  Bolstered in spirit.

".... are holding me, they hold me still...."

His hands that shaped the world.... are holding me.  If He can do that to a tree? Just sayin'...

And in that moment I stopped and circled back to from where I had just come.  I had climbed down into the middle of this and sat for about 10 minutes...

Thinking. Singing. Praying...

The world that He shaped was literally holding me in those moments as I settled into the middle of that place...

A reminder so tangible that the pieces of bark that had fallen down the back of my shirt scratched my neck as I walked back to the house with tears welling in my eyes in gratitude.

Grateful...

* that He walked with me this morning
* that He met me in such a personal and real way on that walk
* that He shaped this world by His very hands
* that He still holds me in those hands... HIS!

No! Matter!! What!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friend, does it feel that your world is shaking, that your heart is breaking?  Do you have troubles and unanswered prayers?  Are you tired, and weary, and just plain worn out?  

I offer you this gentle reminder... Heaven Stands!  He heals.  He is still in control!

Friend, the hands that shaped the world are holding you... even still!!

"See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands." ~Is. 49:16

 

God Speaking: What Might it Look Like?

How does God speak?  When someone says that He spoke to them through a song, what might that look like?

As I was driving, the song "Always" by Kristian Stanfill came on the radio.  As I listened, God's very own Word began to insert itself in my mind all through the song.  This is a snapshot of what that looked like and how I believe that God sometimes speaks to me through music.

(The words in italics are words of the song.  The words bolded are the words that flooded my mind during the song, straight from God's Word.)

~~~~~
My foes are many, they rise against me, But I will hold my ground
"Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord is going to bring to you today." Ex. 14:13 

Troubles surround me, chaos abounding... My soul will rest in You
"Be still and know that I am God." Ps. 46:10

I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
"Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God." Is. 41:10a

My help is on the way, my help is on the way 
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
"God is our refuge and strength." Ps. 46:1

I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always 
"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still." Ex. 14: 14

I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord.... 
"Where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord" Ps. 121:1b-2a
~~~~~~

Did you notice that I was driving?  That means my Bible was not immediately available to reference.  Although each of these references did not come to mind and I've had to look them up for this post, the words of the verses themselves did come to mind!

Are you spending regular time in God's Word so that you would recognize His voice and He could speak to you in the middle of your day, even while you are driving?

I want to be doing it more and more!  I want to be so immersed in His Word that every moment verses (His Word) are coming to mind and I recognize His voice to me personally!


Here is the song in it's entirety...

Darkness Praise #11: Part the Waters/ I Need Thee

We're almost to the end of my Darkness Praise playlist.  Have you discovered any new songs or encouragement as I have?


You can read about my Darkness Praise series here.




Part the Waters Lord/ I Need Thee by Selah

When I think I'm going under, part the waters, Lord
When I feel the waves around me, calm the sea
When I cry for help, oh, hear me Lord
And hold out Your hand
Touch my life
Still the raging storm in me
 
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford
 
CHORUS:
I need Thee, O I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
O bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain

[Chorus]

O bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee
When I think I'm going under, part the waters, Lord

 

Darkness Praise #10: Sweet Jesus

I apologize for the delay in getting this installment of this series posted!  It was on schedule to be posted last week, but I have been ill and found that I quickly resorted to "survival" mode, doing only those items that were absolutely required.   

What an appropriate reminder for that type of a week...

Sweet Jesus... 
My Faithful Friend... 
Regardless...

You can read about my Darkness Praise series here.

 
Sweet Jesus by Selah

Sweet Jesus, my Savior;  You are my faithful friend
You made me, You know me;  And You see my every sin

And my soul is amazed;  By this gift of Your grace
And these arms that take me in

Sweet Jesus, my Savior;  You are my faithful friend

Sweet Jesus, my shelter;  You are my faithful friend
The refuge that I run to;  When my world comes closing in

Why should I be afraid;  When I know I am saved
By the arms that take me in

Sweet Jesus, my shelter;  You are my faithful friend

Sweet Jesus, my shepherd;  You are my faithful friend
You hold me, You lead me;  I'll follow till the end

And once more I will say;  On that beautiful day
When Your arms take me in

Sweet Jesus, my shepherd;  You are my faithful friend
Sweet Jesus, my Savior;  You are my faithful friend

Darkness Praise #9: This Day

This day
 Today
 A gift

You can read about my Darkness Praise series here.



This Day by Point of Grace

This day is fragile - soon it will end
And once it has vanished, it will not come again
So let us love with a love pure and strong
Before this day is gone

This day is fleeting when it slips away
Not all our money can buy back this day
So let us pray that we might be a friend
Before this day is spent

This day we're given is golden
Let us show love
This day is ours for one moment
Let us sow love
 
This day is frail - it will pass by
So before it's too late to recapture the time
Let us share love, let us share God
Before this day is gone
Before this day is gone

 

Darkness Praise #8: Ps. 139

 He is such a personal God and Father.  Oh, so very personal.  

He
Knows
Me

He 
Loves
Me

You can read about my Darkness Praise series here.


Ps. 139 by Rebecca St. James

You search me, You know me

You see my every move
There's nothing I could ever do

To hide myself from You

You know my thoughts, My fears and hurts
My weaknesses and pride

You know what I am going through
And how I feel inside

But even though You know
You will always love me

Even though You know
You'll never let me go

I don't deserve Your love
But you give it freely

You will always love me
Even though You know

Darkness Praise #7: Blessings

I first heard this song about the same time that the challenge came to my heart that totally revolutionized and changed the way that I pray.   (Click here to read what that was)

And you can read about my Darkness Praise series here.



Blessings by Laura Story

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

CHORUS:
'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

[Chorus}

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

 

Darkness Praise #6: Grace

His Grace:  I'm everything with Him...
And all I want is all of You. Your grace...

Read about my Darkness Praise series here


Grace by Michael W. Smith

I was lost when you found me here 
You pulled me close and held me near 
And I'm a fool but still you love 
I'll be a fool for the king of love 

He gave me wings so I could fly 
And gave me a song to color the sky 
And all I have is all from you 
And all I want is all of You

(CHORUS)
It's grace, grace I'm nothing without you   
Grace, your grace shines on me

And there've been days when I've walked away 
Too much to carry nothing left to say 
Forgive me Lord when I'm weak and lost 
You traded heaven for a wooden cross 

And all these years you've carried me 
You've been my eyes when I could not see 
And beauty grows in the driving rain 
Your oil of gladness in the times of pain 

Chorus:

Your grace, your grace I'm nothing without you 
Grace, your grace Shines on me 

Shines on me, Shines on me
I'm everything with you

Your grace


  

Darkness Praise #5: Heal the Wound

Have you ever been around someone that had a scar that they wanted to show you?  But it wasn't just that they wanted you to see the scar, they had a story they wanted to tell that accompanied that scar.

Scars tell stories, don't they?

Stories of:  Pain.  Hurt.  Bleeding.

Stories of:  Overcoming.  Healing.

That transformation from wound to scar takes time.  And I sometimes wonder if that isn't often the hardest part?...


Read about my Darkness Praise series here


Heal the Wound by Point of Grace

I used to wish that I could rewrite history
I used to dream that each mistake could be erased
Then I could just pretend
I never knew me back then

I used to pray that You would take this shame away
Hide all the evidence of who I've been
But it's the memory of
The places that You brought me from
That keeps me on my knees
And even though I'm free

CHORUS:
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar

I have not lived a life that boasts of anything
I don't take pride in what I bring
But I'll build an altar with
The rubble that You've found me in
And every stone will sing
Of what You can redeem

[Chorus]

Don't let me forget
Everything You've done for me
Don't let me forget
The beauty in the suffering
 
[Chorus]
[Chorus]

Leave the scar



 

Darkness Praise #4: Unredeemed

 "Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives but God is not amongst the ruins.  When God seems the most absent, He is indeed the most present." ~Carol Kent

..."Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it." ~ Gen. 28:16b

Read about my Darkness Praise series here 


 

Unredeemed by Selah

The cruelest word, the coldest heart
The deepest wound, the endless dark
The lonely ache, the burning tears
The bitter nights, the wasted years

Life breaks and falls apart
But we know these are

CHORUS:

Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled, they may be unrestored
But when anything that's shattered
Is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see, it will not be unredeemed

For every choice that led to shame
And all the love that never came
For every vow that someone broke
And every life that gave up hope

We live in the shadow of the fall
But the cross says these are all

[Chorus]

Oh, He will wipe every tear
Will not be beyond unredeemed

Places where grace is soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled, they may be unrestored
But you never know the miracle the Father has in store
Just watch and see, it will not be
Just watch and see, it will not be unredeemed

 

Darkness Praise #3: There is Nothing Greater

So often I listened to this song being the "someone" that needed to be reminded that there was nothing I could possibly experience or feel that was greater than Him and His Grace!

Read about my Darkness Praise series here 

 

There is Nothing Greater Than Grace by Point of Grace

What do you say to someone who feels like they've lost it all
Over the edge with no one there to break their fall
And what do you say to someone who feels so unloved
Giving themselves away a little bit every day just to be good enough
And what do you say to a hopeless soul who can't remember their way home
And everything is out of their control

CHORUS:
There is no valley, there is no darkness
There is no sorrow greater than the grace of Jesus.
There is no moment, there is no distance,
There is no heartbreak He can't take you through.
So before you think that you're too lost to save,
Remember there is nothing greater than grace.

What do you say to someone whose life is on the line
And they're unsure what happens after their last breath in time
What do you say to someone whose built a wall you can't break through
And it's so hard for them to hear the truth

[CHORUS]

So don't lose hope, don't let go
Don't give up, you are not alone

[CHORUS]  


 

Darkness Praise #2: Press On

Read about my Darkness Praise series here 

" I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." ~ Phil. 3:14 (NIV)

 

Press On By Selah

When the valley is deep
When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary
When we stumble and fall

When the choices are hard
When we're battered and scarred
When we've spent our resources
When we've given our all

CHORUS:
In Jesus' name, we press on
In Jesus' name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on

Dear Lord, with the prize
Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on

[CHORUS]

ENDING:
We find the strength to press on
To press on

 

Darkness Praise #1: Broken Hallelujah

I've found that offering even "broken hallelujahs" and "shattered praise" still keeps me pointing to, focused on, and trusting in a Sovereign God...

Read about my Darkness Praise series here...

"Broken Hallelujah" by Mandisa

With my love and my sadness
I come before You Lord
My heart's in a thousand pieces
Maybe even more

Yet I trust in this moment
You're with me somehow
And You've always been faithful
So Lord even now

CHORUS:  
When all that I can sing 
Is a broken hallelujah
When my only offering
Is shattered praise
Still a song of adoration
Will rise up from these ruins
And I will worship You and give You thanks
Even when my only praise
Is a broken hallelujah

Oh Father, You have given
Much more than I deserve
And I have felt Your hand of blessing
On me at every turn

How could I doubt Your goodness
Your wisdom, Your grace
Oh Lord hear my heart
In this painful place

[Chorus]

Hallelujah x2
I lift my voice
Your Spirit moves
I raise my hands
I reach for You 

[Chorus]
 

 

My Voice: My Mission

12/30/05:  This date has great meaning for me as it relates to my blogging. 

That was the day that I started.

Over the years I have read, thought about, and wondered what it means to "find a voice" in blogging.

Recommendations were given to learn what your passions were, and then to write about those.  The problem was, I was quite sure that the things I was most passionate about would leave me on the low end of the spectrum for readers.

And then it was the numbers game.

I don't know exactly how it happened, but the priorities in my mind have reversed.  I don't really care about the big numbers for numbers sake anymore.  Writing about and sharing my passion has tipped the scales in importance.

But how to put that all into words?  And then I heard the following song.

The moment I heard it I knew it helped to put into words my life's passion.  My Mission.  My voice.  Not only for my blog... but for my life. 



Lead You to the Cross
By Tom Lane

Verse 1
This is my story.  This is my song.
My passion and purpose
The mission I’m on
The heart of the matter, when it’s all said and done
I want to lead you to the cross

Verse 2
I’m not the water.  I’m not the bread.
But I know the place where your soul is fed.
So hungry and thirsty
Come and be blessed I want to lead you to the cross

Verse 3
I will go with you.  Here is my hand.
Whatever your burden, wherever you’ve been
We’re all lost and lonely
In a foreign land
I want to lead you to the cross

CHORUS:
I will be all things to all men
Just like You, Lord, a sinners friend
That by all means I might save some
I’ll be a candle a stepping stone
A Holy compass to guide you home
There’s no higher call.    Whatever the cost
I want to lead you to the cross

One of My Life's Theme Songs

I don't know about you, but so often a song becomes like a "theme song" for me at a certain point in my life.

When I hear various ones, I can tell you exactly what was happening in my life and why that song had so much meaning. Just listening to music is becoming more and more an exercise in remembering God's goodness, faithfulness, and continued challenge and calling in my life.

This song has been that song for me in recent months. And in a very literal way.

When I found myself beginning to waiver in the decisions we were to make, when I began to question whether this was really what we were supposed to be doing... I'd turn on this song and it would help me to re-focus my heart, soul and mind.



I Refuse
By Josh Wilson

Sometimes I, I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
When I know they're not
This world needs God
But it's easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
Like nothing's wrong
 But I refuse

Chorus:
'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
 Oh, I refuse
To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of You, oh God
 So, if You say move
It's time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
Show them who You are

CHORUS

To stand and watch the weary and lost
Cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back
And try and act like all is well
 I refuse to stay unchanged
To wait another day, to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse

CHORUS

~~~~~~~
Is there a song that is keeping you challenged and encouraged all at the same time right now?

 

Darkness Praise

If you've been around for any length of time, then you know that last year was a difficult one for me personally.

I learned that one of the most effective ways to work out of the pit I found myself in was to generate praise, even in the darkness.

Hebrews 13:15 (NLT) "...Let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name."

A sacrifice of praise. 

Praise, even when it is the farthest thing from my human heart's bent and desire.  To sacrifice what I humanly wanted to focus and center on, and instead turn my focus and direction to Him... in praise.

And so... during this time of personal darkness I created a playlist on my iPod that I titled "Darkness Praise".  This playlist became my "go to" songs.

In the beginning...

These songs felt like my survival.  I would play this playlist repeatedly, almost to the exclusion of any other songs.  It was as if I needed them constantly infusing into my brain just to keep my thoughts in some sort of direction that was Truth centered.  Praise centered.  Hope centered.

As time passed...

I began to regain some mind and emotion clearing.  I wasn't in quite such a difficult place.  I began to understand more and more where I was and where I needed to be.  I learned to recognize what I call "the spiral".

I could now sense when my thoughts and feelings were beginning to spiral me downward on a trend that did not land well if I didn't consciously choose to intervene and re-direct my thoughts.

By sacrifice. Praise. Truth.  

During those times of  "the spiral",  I was/am drawn to this playlist.

Most recently...

I have found myself listening to this playlist, not in need of survival.  Not even to gain solid footing as I begin to recognize "the spiral".  Instead... in worship, gratitude, and thankfulness.

Each of these songs are now packed with such powerful truth and reminders of what HE alone has done in and for my heart.

Ps. 40: 2-3

(AMP) "He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings. He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord."

(MSG) "He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God."

I have learned that there is always a place for praise, even in the darkness.

Especially in the darkness.    

Darkness Praise...

Do you have a song or group of songs, or anything, that you are drawn to when things seem more difficult?

In This Wait

Do you ever go through a time in life where just a song or two seems to almost scream out and put into words the thoughts that your heart can't seem to pull together?

This has been one of those songs for me in most recent days.  I find myself listening to it over, and over, and over.

We are, once again, on a "battle ground" of sorts as we wait for test results from a specialist.

For those who have followed the story of our family for any length of time, you know that this is not a new experience for us, just a new potential road to walk.

Waiting.

It has given me time to reflect.  To remember.  To be reminded.

And in the waiting I find myself encouraged as I listen to these words.

Regardless of the final news we receive, the truth will remain...

We will not walk alone.
Every step we will be breathing in His grace.
We will be held in His perfect peace.
Evermore we'll be breathing out His praise.

He is Faithful.

Always... Faithful.



Never Once
By Matt Redman

Verse 1
Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we've come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Verse 2
Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You've done
Knowing every victory
Was Your power in us

Pre-Chorus
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Chorus
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Repeat Verse 2
Repeat Pre-Chorus
Repeat Chorus

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Bridge
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone

Repeat Chorus

Every step we are breathing in Your grace
Evermore we'll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Everything You Do

A new favorite around here. The radio gets turned up anytime this song is on. Great encouragement, motivation, and reminder all in one!

Have you heard it?



Do Everything
Steven Curtis Chapman

You’re picking up toys on the living room floor for the 15th time today
Matching up socks and sweeping up lost cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips and head out the door

And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace with every move that you make and every little thing you do

Maybe you’re that guy with the suit and tie; Maybe your shirt says your name
You may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers but at the end of the day
Little stuff big stuff in between stuff God sees it all the same

And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace with every move that you make and every little thing that you do

Well maybe you’re sitting in math class; Maybe on a mission in the Congo
Maybe you’re working at the office; Singing along with the radio
Maybe you’re dining at a five star; Or feeding orphans in Myanmar

Anywhere and everywhere you are
Whatever you do it all matters
So do what you do and don’t ever forget to do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face and tell the story of grace as you do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face and tell the story of grace with every move that you make and every little thing that you do

Things You Might Like To Know

1/2 price Frappuccino's at Starbucks
Daily from 3P-5P until May 15. YUM!   Enough said.

**********
My friend Sandy from Reluctant Entertainer was on Family Life today with Dennis Rainey last week.  Well worth a listen, especially with warmer weather around the corner and so many more relaxed and low key opportunities for reaching out to others.

Part I:  Overcoming the Obstacles (May 2, 2011)

Part II:  Welcome to My Home:  The 10 Commandments of Hospitality (May 3, 2011)

More inspirational and encouraging ideas can be found in her book, The Reluctant Entertainer:  Every Woman's Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality.  You can even get it for the kindle!


**********
And on Family Life Today's program for today and tomorrow, they will be interviewing Seeds Family Worship founder Jason Houser.  He will be talking about using music to help families memorize God's Word. 

And it just happens that Shawntele is hosting a giveaway for a Seeds Family Worship CD (giveaway ends tonight at 11PM EST).

To top it all off, you can still receive an additional 20% off your purchase of cd's (not including clearance cd's) from their web store (www.seedsmusicstore.com). Just use the coupon code: MYQUIETCORNER at checkout to receive your discount.

**********
Last but not least, I have changed to the Disqus platform to use with comments.  I am hoping that this will allow me to participate in conversations much more in the comment section with each of you, which is what I have wanted to do for quite some time!

Please give me your feedback!

Are you familiar with the disqus platform?  What do you like, dislike, etc.  Help a girl out and tell me what I need to know!

And thank you in advance for extending grace and understanding as I/we learn the way around this new program for commenting.

**********
There you have it.  A few things that I thought you might like to know.   

What are things that you think I might like to know?...

What If...

I wasn't planning to post anything today, and then I heard this song for the first time. 

It has already been purchased and downloaded quickly making it's way to my i*Pod...challenging and encouraging me each and every time I listen to it and think of it's message.

Have you heard it?


"Blessings"
By Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

CHORUS:
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Chorus

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise