We Are All Broken Sometime

As I was flipping through the channels, I saw that Gifted Hands was on.  I love this movie, a true story in which Cuba Gooding Jr. portrays surgeon Ben Carson.  When I clicked ok, I wasn’t prepared for the scene that was on……

As I was flipping through the channels, I had just clicked play on my iPhone to show the lyric video to The Afters song Broken Hallelujah….

Now, put the two together……

The scene from the movie was when Ben Carson is awakened by his pregnant wife who is bleeding due to miscarriage. The song’s lyrics are about knowing happiness and pain and still lifting a song of praise.

My memory goes back to my own miscarriage.

My thoughts turn to those who are experiencing their own pain.  Friends who have lost loved ones, spouses, children. Friends who have health issues, terminal illnesses.  So many people. So much hurt. 

But yet, we can, and should, sing Hallelujah. 

I love that word. I love how it flows from my lips.

Hallelujah.

Hallelujah is a shout or a song of praise and/or thanks to God.

 Hallelujah.

We have all been broken.  We have all had an experience that has brought us to our knees in anguish. 

It doesn’t seem like it, but during those times, a hallelujah can bring peace, comfort, healing.  Maybe not immediately, but eventually. 

In those times that we feel broken, we need to remember all that God has done for us.  Remember those blessings. Remember the love. Remember the sacrifice.  In all of our brokenness, remember Christ. 

As  mentioned recently, my singing isn’t lovely at all.  But God doesn’t care if I can hit the pitch or the note correctly.  He cares about what is in my heart. What is in your heart.  He cares that we can sing a broken hallelujah.

It is so easy for us to say what we believe about God….you know…..the usual stuff: He loves me. He cares for me. He will take care of me.  He will get me through anything.  Yes, easy to say.  We can say it until we are blue in the face.  But living it is different. It is difficult.  It is in that broken hallelujah that we find out if we really believe what we say we believe.  That’s when we live it. 

Honestly, no one wants to live a broken hallelujah.  No one wants hurt and pain, to be empty.  But God never promised us an easy life.  He never promised that each day would be a sunny, happy day.  He did promise that he would always be with us, that nothing could pull us from his hand.

If you are hurting today, for whatever reason, just know that God loves you.  When you lift your broken hallelujah up to him, he hears you. He will bring you peace and comfort.  Just don’t give up on him.  Healing takes time.  It can be ugly and messy, but God is there in that place. 

I’d like to leave you with this song.  May it be a blessing to you when you find yourself in a dark place. May it give you the strength to lift up a broken hallelujah.

Worship Him Through Music

When asked if I am going to join the choir at church, my reply is always the same, "Um. No."  I'll then comment that I don't sing....in public....too loudly for anyone to hear.  Let's face it.  Singing, er good singing, is not a gift that God has given me.  Ask my kids.  I've heard this comment more than once: Mama, just stop.

But I do like to sing.

I'm not any good at it. Don't know the first thing about music.  I do remember something about the letters (notes) going up the lines and it spelled FACE (I think).  That's about as much as I know.

But I know that God doesn't care whether I'm any good or not.  I think he did care that time I became quite envious of Hilarie during church the first time I heard her singing right beside me in the pew.  Jealous in church. Yes, I think that is a sin.

But I am a lover of words, of words put to music.

There are so many times that a song just says IT, whatever IT may be.  It could be the love I have for my husband, my children, my Savior. It could express a feeling I have.

Last fall when I found out our baby had stopped growing, one of the first songs I heard after that news was Casting Crowns Praise You in This Storm.  I was definitely going through a storm, but yet, singing those words over and over again brought peace to my soul.  Other songs such as Strong Tower and Blessings brought me comfort during that difficult time.

And still, when I have moments of sadness, doubt, or fear, there is always a song for that.  When I my soul is overflowing with emotion, there is a song for that.

God doesn't care about my squeaky voice, that fact that I can't get on the right pitch or note, he cares about my heart.  When my heart is in the song, he knows. 

When you are at loss for words, find those words in a song and worship and praise God through that song. 

A song for you today....Special thanks to Adrienne at Laced By Grace for posting this one today.

Sometimes a song says it all.

Today, it was every song we sang during our worship service.

Have you praised Him lately?

Today, I am praising my Heavenly Father.

I am so very thankful that Carter's two week appointment went well. Apparently, there are no longer any signs of jaundice. When he was retested at 4 days old, his bilirubin levels were a bit more elevated than the initial test in the hospital. Today, he shows no signsof jaundice. Thank you, Lord! Carter is growing quite well. He weighed 8lbs 13 oz (1 pound and 1 ounce more than his birth weight). What a blessing it is to know that he is healthy and strong!

I am so very thankful for the love Colin and Carson have for their baby brother. Already, they are inseparable. When its time for school, bed, or whatever, they do not want to leave Carter's side. Carson has not slept in his own bed but once or twice since Carter has been home. This morning, both big brothers were on the couch with me and Carter. They are all about their little brother. I pray that their devotion to one another continues, that no matter how old they get and what troubles they encounter, that these boys remember they are family and that is what is important.

I am so very thankful for the wonderful man I am married to. He takes such good care of me and our boys. I am amazed at how God has worked in his life since surrendering his life to Jesus 6 years ago. Yesterday at church, he talked to the congregation about prayer. You see, when Carson was born four years ago, we saw him for only a short moment due to his lungs. He was quickly taken to NICU. Jeffrey made his way to the chapel at the Medical Center and prayed for his newborn son. His (our) prayers were answered. Carson was healed. We have learned that he remains delicate in times of illness. With a snotty nose or first sign of cough or cold, we have to take precautions to keep him in good health whether it is keeping him in from the weather or out of smokey environments. He can't tolerate allergens and illness like many kids. When Carter was born two weeks ago, Jeffrey made his way to the chapel at the hospital once again. This time, it was to give thanks and praise for a healthy newborn son. Isn't that the only proper thing to do (which was precisely his point to the church)? We are quick to pray in times of want, whether through the death of a loved one, illness, job loss, marital stress, parenting issues, or financial trouble. We should also be quick to pray in times of plenty, whether it is a job promotion, good health, or anything worth celebrating. God is with us in those times, just like he is with us in times of want. Some people only call out to our Lord when they are hurting. Sure He wants us to do that, but our Father also wants us to call out to Him in times of celebration, to give Him praise for what He has done.

Have you praised Him lately? If not, why not start now? Why not leave a comment here to let us know what God has blessed you with?

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thesselonians 5:16-18

Poetry by a Pregnant Woman

It is with swollen ankles and feet that I sit here.
Watching the snowflakes out the window,
I know a change for me is near.

Thirty-six weeks ago, God blessed me with a gift.
Because of that, this “big girl” occasionally needs a lift!

As I waddle down the halls of school,
I try to remain fashionable, stable, and cool.

Because the belly bump sticks out so far,
My oldest child, bless his heart,
Worries about his mommy driving the family car.

Even though I’m feeling quite huge, you won’t hear a complaint from me.
For my gift from God is a new child, you see.

I can’t wait to meet this new little guy,
To touch and to kiss’em.
I know he is truly a blessing from God,
And for this I will praise Him.

It won’t be easy being a mom of three,
But it’s a job I accept with gladness.
Already the only female in the house,
I’ll rejoice in the pure madness.

So today and each day ahead, I’ll pray
Thank you Lord for this wonderful life,
For making me a mom and a making me a wife.

Another Update on Tami

THURSDAY: NEWS FROM TAMI'S MOM
All indications right now look like abscessed lymph nodes. It will be 2-3 days until the pathology tests will show whether or not there is any cancer.

Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the Great Physician and we are pleading for Tami's healing. Please cover her with Your love, strength, and grace. I thank you for Tami and what she means to me and so many others. It is a blessing to know her and be with her daily. Lord, we ask that you give the doctor's and nurses wisdom to treat Tami. For her parents, Father, give them comfort and strength in these days to come. Help them to support one another and their precious daughter. Lord, thank you for all that you do and all that you are going to do for this family. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

We have heard from Tami's dad. It seems that she has a severe infection that has gotten into her blood stream. We praise God that all signs are pointing away from cancer. However, because of the severity of the infection, doctors are unsure of how long Tami will need to stay at Kosairs. Please continue to pray for Tami's overall healing. Also, pray for her doctors, nurses, and her parents.

We love you Tami and hope to see you very soon.