Waves

I woke up this morning contemplating my life, and processing through some events that have recently come into my life, and into the lives of my friends and loved ones. In the past month I've known people who have lost loved ones, lost babies, who are experiencing lonliness, who feel isolated from those that they love by large bodies of water (love you, G), and who are facing uncertain futures after taking huge leaps of faith. I was reminded just last night of the words to one of my favorite Casting Crowns songs, and the impact of the words "step out of my comfort zone into the realm of the unknown" and then these words "where Jesus is". Jesus is not in my comfort zone. He's not sitting in the boat with me, all warm and snuggly. He's out in the waves where the wind is blowing and the rain is pelting down, and all is a gray, blurry sea. He's holding out His hand. The question is, will I take it? For me there is comfort in holding on to the things that are dear to me--my family--my friends. Comfort is crying out like Jack does when I take something away from him. Comfort is indulging myself in a good pity cry when things aren't going my way. But that is not where Jesus is. Jesus is in the storm, arms open wide, bidding me enter it with Him. This thought-process lead me to another favorite Casting Crowns song. Sometimes God allows things to happen in our lives that we were not expecting, and we are "thrown" from the boat kicking and screaming" (insert a little smiley face here). It is good to know that Jesus is also there, again, in the storm. Just a little introspection from a sleepy mommy while her baby is napping.

The Voice of Truth (verse one)
Oh, what I would do
To have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth


Praise You In The Storm
I was sure by now, God, that 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 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 remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and 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
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