Held
Jarid just returned from Montana. As he says, it was a trip “for all the wrong reasons.” He was there attending the memorial service of his best friend’s mom, Phyllis Kessler. This was a family he spent a lot of time with during his high school years, a family that had (has) a great impact on him in many ways. Definitely a shock to get this kind of news.
As soon as we received that phone call from Konrad on Monday morning, a slew of songs began streaming through my mind (as usual). But one song in particular kept coming back to me. It’s a song performed by Natalie Grant called “Held”.
“Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would take a child from his mother while she prays is appalling.”
Who told us we’d be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We’re asking why this happens to us who have died to live.
It’s unfair.
Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life and you survive.
This is what it is to be loved, and to know that the promise was when everything fell we’d be held.
This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred know our sorrows.
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.
(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life and you survive.
This is what it is to be loved, and to know that the promise was when everything fell we’d be held.
Bridge:
If hope is born of suffering, if this is only the beginning,
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?“
Click here to watch/listen.
As I read the obituary and the guest book comments, and listened to Jarid talk about spending time with the Kesslers growing up, and then to him describe the memorial service, another song popped into my head. One of my favorite songs, with words I can only pray to achieve, is “Legacy” performed by Nichole Nordeman.
“I want to leave a legacy.
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering,
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically,
and leave that kind of legacy.”
I’m sure if you talk to any person who knew this dear woman, they would whole-heartedly agree that Phyllis has left a Legacy. She has most definitely heard “Well done, good and faithful one!” in the presence of Jesus.
Slow Fade
Wow. What a poignant illustration of how easy it is to let Satan get his foot in the door.
Slow Fade by Casting Crowns
Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade
Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you’re thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day
Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Work in Progress
So, to the work in progress…trust me, it is definitely in progress. Once I get more pictures from my parents, I will add more. The quality isn’t great on some of them, but you get the idea. And since the entire song isn’t on here yet, you can read the lyrics below.
Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms
I was sure by now God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining
As the thunder rolls I barely hear your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you” and as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away
And I’ll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands
For you are who you are no matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried you hold in your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you and you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone how can I carry on if I can’t find you
But as the thunder rolls I barely hear you whisper through the rain
“I’m with you” and as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills; where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth
My New Toy
Last night, Jarid came home and handed me a package. This is what was in it.
A Nike ipod armband. Without the ipod. Apparently, a customer came into the store and had this armband, but had bought another one and wasn’t going to use it. So he gave it to Jarid. Sweet.
Now we need the ipod. Which is awesome because I’ve started running in the mornings and it would be so much more enjoyable with music.
Oh, but wait. While I’m fixing dinner, Jarid walked around the corner and handed me another package. That’s right.
Of course, my immediate response is, “What did you do????”
Well, let me tell you what my wonderful husband has done. In typical Jarid-fashion, he has worked his tale off, shown his work ethic, and helped get a business off the ground and on it’s way to being very successful. For that, his boss is greatly appreciative. Thus the ipod.
And thus, I am very appreciative. Thanks, Kyle!
Being new to the ipod world, it took a little bit of doing, but I was able to run this morning with music in my ears! Yay.
Now I just have to burn all of my Napster tracks to cd, rip them back onto cd in mp3 format, find them again, and import them to my iTunes library.
(insert sarcasm here) Brilliantly orchestrated. Well done, Apple.
Either way, I am super pleased.
