Finding the Rock in the Swirling, Chaos Day #23 of Thankfulness

 My life flows on in endless song;
above earth’s lamentation,
I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.

It is Thanksgiving Sunday. 

The choir sings a long loved Hymn. 

Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

The words piercing. 

Encouraging. 

What though my joys and comforts die?
I know my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth. 

A melody I have  hummed repeatedly over the years. 

No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

The words play through my mind. 

Strength and power held in their prose. 

This latest challenge has shaken me. 

And I have almost stopped the singing. 

My inmost calm a raging tempest. 

While the choir sings I closed my eyes. 

"No storm can shake my inmost calm, 

While to that rock I'm clinging."

Though the waters rage around me. 

I have found the calm. 

Not from within. 

But from above. 

I am a churning, whirling mess. 

A cyclone of emotions. 

Through it all the melody plays. . .

The words a resounding message. 

Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

While the heaviness threatens to pull me under. 

I choose to sing today. 

I choose to cling. 

30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:
the hard times that teach me to cling
a son that is digging deep these days
a time to break bread with our church family 
and gather to sing the Ancient Hymns
grace and new mercies each day
friends who listen and love
a family that grieves and works together
wind chimes - that though I am not near the ocean - they remind me
sleep- I still love to go to bed
the warmth of the fire and hot coffee in the quiet
Emergency Vet clinics and the miracle they performed
the hope we have- even though we do not know the future, God does

Psalm 59:16

But I will sing of your strength, 

in the morning I will sing of your love; 

for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

As this world swirls and chaos finds you. 

May you cling to that Rock. 

And may there be a lovely song. 

A Sweet Reunion, Saying Good Bye To Grandma Joan

I didn't know her well. Only through birthday parties,  drop off or pick ups during custody exchanges. I only knew her through visiting at the grocery store or the Thrift shop. I knew her smile and her love for Chelsea and her infatuation with Christiana; the mini Chelsea. I knew her caring nature in recognizing Elijah's desire to enter the military and the beautiful card and gift she sent for his graduation. One I had to take care of after he had been called home. I know of her intent to hold my hand when my son was called home so suddenly. She too, no stranger to the loss of a child. Today we will celebrate her life; Chelsea's Grandmother. 

A woman who I knew only as an acquaintance. 

Yet whom my step daughter loved. Watching the hurt and pain in your children is hard.

 Repeated jabs to Chelsea's young life.

 A brother torn from her. Her beloved father in a battle for his life. And now this.

Yet in the midst of all the sadness and heartache. 

God chose to send life. 

Before the dawn of time he called that little Lilah Rose into being. 

Oh how He knew we would all need life. 

Baby smiles and coo's. 

Snuggles and distraction. 

And it is this New Life we are called into living;

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: 
The old has gone, the new is here!

living as a child wrapped in a Father's loving arms. 

It is in knowing you are loved beyond anything this world has to offer. 

There is no physical relationship on this earth, no matter how wonderful,

 that can match the Savior's love for us. 

It is this love that spurs us on to make a difference in this world.

 To change one person at a time with the love offered so freely.
To repent and turn from our old ways, to the new and glorious.

Grandma Joan, you will be missed greatly.
Your wit and smile will be remembered.
And I can only think how sweet your reunion with your precious Anna must have been.
Oh what joy. 

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."