God of Every Story

This weekend I took a little trip to visit one of my best friends from college in Western Nebraska. We always have so much fun together, no matter what we do!  She always makes me realize you are only as old as you believe, as we pitched a tent by the lake, made s'mores over our glowing charcoals, went on some walks, had some deep conversations, and just took in every moment of the peacefulness and the presence of each other. Enjoying the lake was great too! I've decided that friendship is one of the most beautiful gifts God gives us! I honestly don't know what I would do without my friends, each one of them, male and female!  They are each special in their own way, and each have been there for me in different parts of my life. Laughed with me, cried with me, listened to me, talked with me, danced with me, sang with me, watched sports with me, etc!  And the thing that amazes me so much, is that no matter how far away you live, no matter how long it's been since the last time you've seen or talked to each other, one's true friends are able to connect as if no time or distance ever kept them apart! What would we all do without our friends? They are such a precious gift!!

On my drive, I listened to lots of different music. Yes, some is to keep me awake, :) but sometimes it's just a beautiful way to talk and listen and glorify God. One of my favorite artists is Laura Story. I am sure most everyone has heard of her song, "Blessings" It is beautiful, and many times brings tears to my eyes. I listened to that album, but I also listened to her newer album.  As I've listened many times before, this time one song hit me as so beautiful and so true. Like I wrote before, sometimes books or certain parts of books mean a lot to you and in certain seasons of your life. I truly believe songs do the same thing. I think I could write an entire book about songs, in which every time I hear them brings a certain memory or feeling. That's the beauty of music. So the song that touched me and had me put it on repeat a time or two, was called "God of Every Story" Here is the YouTube video. Listen to the words, the chorus.

God of Every Story YouTube video

Here is what touched me....

"Some wanna raise a fist up high,

Blame all the hard things on the Father in the sky,

But He hears when we call.

We can trust Him through it all."

It's so hard not to blame things on God. Or feel angry or frustrated or fed up with Him. I know I've been there many times. But I've learned, that is only human, to feel that way. So many of us have those feelings, even His apostles and saints have felt that way. We want to be in control instead of letting God be in control. We want to know what's going to happen in our lives, we want things to happen right now, in our timing!  But we need to TRUST Him and know that He is with us through every joy, every sorrow, every frustration, every excitement! He will answer us, in His time. The waiting process is hard, but draws us closer to Him.

"He's the God of every story,

He sees each tear that falls.

We may not understand but one thing is certain.

He is faithful, He's a faithful God.

When our world is shaking,

He holds us in the palm of His hand."

He is FAITHFUL.  Ingrain that into my head! He understands. He knows. When I think to Jesus' passion... all that He felt on that cross... pain, sorrow, loneliness, forsaken, denial, thirsty for love... He's been through it all. Nothing we feel, or go through will Jesus not understand. He is holding us, as he understands. He is there just waiting for us to let Him Love us! He is Faithful!

"Young Martin is thankful he's alive;

The doctors said he might not survive.

That was seven years ago...

What a miracle.

And now there's this new baby girl

And with one breath she's changed our whole world.

Some say she looks like dad,

But she looks like grace to me.

Your grace to me." 

No matter how many times I listen to this song... this part sends chills through my body. Laura Story's husband Martin, battled cancer, brain tumor... her voice sounds like it's holding back tears in the song. But then when she sings Grace--- it's just beautiful!! God's grace!! Back to the water of grace... There are so many hardships in everyone's life. We all have our own crosses to carry!  But the Grace! The grace of God!! The water of grace we are able to share with everyone around us, is God's grace flowing! It's the way we can be an instrument of God's love, of God's grace!!