Praise You In This Storm

I have missed Andrew terribly the past couple of days. Every day, I make a point to look at his pictures, as they are all I have of him these days. Kevin and I were talking tonight as we were riding home from youth group that Andrew will always be a part of us and our family. No matter how many kids we end up raising, he will always be a part of me and our family unit. Andrew has changed me.

Tonight was the kickoff for the year for the youth group at church. Tonight we reviewed the vision for the ministry and why we do what we do. It was a good time to refocus as we begin a new school year {even though I’m not a student, I love the newness that fall brings}.

When I was walking into the house tonight after the meeting, I thought back to where I was a year ago. I am a different woman now than I was last year, and I think I owe a lot of that to my precious little Andrew. God has used my baby boy to bring me {and hopefully others} closer to himself.  I always knew motherhood would change me, but I had no idea what that would look like.  God is using Andrew for His purposes, and it couldn’t make me prouder as a mom.

As we continue on this journey of grief, I want to praise the Lord in the midst of it. God has done so much for me, but I spend far too much of my time focusing on what he has DONE rather than focusing on who He IS. God reminded me of that tonight in Isaiah 6:1-5.

WOW! I don’t even know what else to say to that passage.  God is GOD and he deserves praise just because he is GOD.  So no matter my circumstances, I have a reason to praise Him.

This past Sunday, one of the passages referenced in the sermon was 2 Corinthians 12:10 which says, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” I had trouble with that passage at first b/c I am finding it difficult to delight right now in this hardship of loosing my son. But, in light of who God IS, I can and should delight in the midst of this hardship b/c in my weakness, God’s strength can shine through me. I have resolved to praise him in this storm! With that, I will leave you with the lyrics to an awesome song by Casting Crowns.

“Praise You In This Storm”

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

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 lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth