A reason to sing...

So, if I ever felt like I was supose to be at church... today was one of those days. I was so blessed by the message. "God is my Restorer".
Our worship leader sang a song by Keith Green that spoke to me...

My eyes are dry My faith is old

My heart is hard My prayers are cold

And I know how I ought to be

Alive to you and dead to me

But what can be done For an old heart like mine

Soften it up, With oil and wine
The oil is you, your spirit of love

Please wash me anew With the wine
of your blood

It hurts. I feel numb and hard, sad and cold. I know where I ought to be. I know where I want to be. Getting there just feels so difficult.

By taking a look at a oh so familar passage, I was reminded of some amazing promises and truths. Psalm 23

"The Lord is my Shephard, I shall not be in want, He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul..."

The last few weeks have been difficult. I feel as though I have been negative. Wallowing in my own pity. It is so easy to focus on the difficult areas of life. So easy to remind myself how impossible hard this year has been. How encouraging it is to be reminded that "God specializes in possible cases." Matt. 19:26

..."With God ALL things are possible..."

I am loved by the creater of the universe. My Heavenly Father holds us in the palm of His hands... and I desire to remain right in His grip.

I believe He is God. I believe He is able.

I believe He is my Comforter.

But there is more to it than just believing.

"I know where I ought to be..." Just how do I get there?...

Jeremiah 15:19

..."If you Return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me..."

Being Restored takes action. Not only do I need to believe, and want my shattered heart to be healed; I must Return to God. This requires me to make those steps in Faith He calls us to take. Truly putting my Trust in Him and laying it ALL down at His feet.

Only then, will He restore me... so that I can continue to serve Him.

This is my desire. To Serve Him. To be used by Him.

I want to be ready, open and willing to whatever it is that God has for my life.

To make good out of tragedy.

All of my life, In every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing,

I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the desert

And all that's within me feels dry

This is my prayer in the hunger in me

My God is a God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire,

In weakness or trial or pain

There is a faith proved Of more worth than gold

So refine me Lord through the flames

And I will bring praise I will bring praise

No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice I will declare

God is my victory and He is here

And this is my prayer in the battle

And triumph is still on it's way

I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ

So firm on His promise I'll stand

All of my life In every season

You are still God I have a reason to sing

I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest

When favor and providence flow

I know I'm filled to be empited again

The seed I've recieved I will sow

Thank you Lord, that in ALL things.. you are still God. Give me the strength to take the steps you are calling me to take. The courage to return to you, that I may be restored.

I WILL make it through this grief. I CAN be happy again. I WILL be there for my children, like they need me to be. ...one step at a time, I WILL be restored.