Saturday, February 7, 2009

Choosing to Trust

My son returned tonight in the middle of a lightning storm. As the rain poured down, we negotiated by the back door. It was difficult. When I thought Mozart was being too harsh, I had to trust the Lord. I kept saying to myself I have to trust the Lord.

As I listened to Mozart and C, I reminded myself that--for the last 4 weeks I've been reading the Word and trying to have faith in God's promises. Now, after four weeks of "strengthening" my muscles were being tested. Had I learned anything?

It comes down to...do I believe that God is able?--or do I think he can't handle it.

We finally got through the requirements/expectations. C is now settling in.

There are a lot of loose ends relating to a missed court date and other matters and the coming days will not be easy.

But I must trust. Trust or die of stress. Trust I will!

After C dumped his stuff into his room, he headed for the shower.

I wanted to rest my mind. I noticed a CD sitting on my dresser...a bit dusty. A CD of hymns. I stuck it in my small clock radio player and the song "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" began to play. It was a simply done...on piano...no voice.

The simplicity of the song touched my heart. I ran and got my old hymnal so I could remember the words.
'Tis so Sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at his Word
Just to rest upon His promise
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord"

Jesus Jesus how I trust Him.
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er.
Jesus Jesus precious Jesus
O FOR GRACE TO TRUST HIM MORE.

I especially like the last line, because it seemed the writer of the hymn was not perfect and still needed grace to trust Him more.

I felt like God brought this hymn to me tonight. And tears came to my eyes as I realized this.

After that...I decided to google the author (Louisa M. R. Stead), and I read the story of a woman who tragically lost her husband.

I love the hymns that have been passed down to us, because so many of them were born out of real life experiences...hard struggles...pain...and also, joy and victory.

That's all for tonight. I hear C rummaging around in the refrigerator now...and I have to go rescue my pre-cooked roast. To back track...I cooked it tonight, but it took 2 hours longer than expected so I had to make another dinner...fast. Now I have pre-cooked roast for tomorrow night. C is asking if he can have some roast. (At least he is asking!) I've got to point him to the leftover Lasagna.

Bye!

6 comments:

Willow said...

I'm so glad your son is home. Praying for you.

I love the old hymns too. I'll be thinking of you every time I sing that song.

Dawn said...

God always has the right words at the right time. I am so sorry that so much of the upcoming generation will never have the hymns to fall on when they need encouragement. I really hope the pendulum swings back to the hymns before it's too late. But I digress and get on my soap box.

I hope he can live up to the requirements and not just blow them off because he was let into the house. I can only imagine the stories he could tell if he would, of his time away.

To a more fun subject - if you'll look more closely at the first picture, or click on it to enlarge, you will actually see SIX teeth - they each have six. It's amazing in their little mouths.

Kev and Angie are doing the Love Dare that was spawned from the movie, Fireproof. Have you seen it? It's doing an amazing work in their lives and marriage - just as I hoped and dreamed when I got them the books for Christmas. As God would have it, someone gave Sema a coupon for the rental of the movie, she brought it home, they both cried through it, and began the challenge the next day. It has had a profound effect. Thank you, Lord!

Karen said...

I loved your comments about that dear old hymn! God does speak to us through songs, His Word, and other people. And like your friend Dawn said, it is always the right words at just the right time. His grace is always sufficient! And that joy and victory your wrote about? They always come AFTER the pain and trials. So you know that is what is coming since you have "chosen to trust". Bless you sweet lady! You and your family are in my prayers....

Susan Skitt said...

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus... I love that hymn. I used the words of that hymn when I shared my testimony of becoming a young widow at a women's brunch in Maryland last January... Louisa also became a young widow raising a 4-year-old. My son was nine-months old. I encouraged the women to trust in God's promises, God's provision, and in His plan.

Life is so hard at times, but when we trust Jesus, it can be so sweet. There is nothing like it, yes even in the midst of our pain because He is with us.

Much love to you my friend and thank you for your prayers.

Marg said...

I can sure tell that you want to hear God and draw from him daily. It must be so difficult and yet so rewarding to read and sing his promises. I love those old hymns.
I used to sing duets with my mom...She has moved along and so I love to listen to good music and hymns is a favorite.

JAM said...

I've often prayed, but while doing so felt as if I didn't have enough faith for my prayer to get past the ceiling.

I've then often taken a tip from a man mentioned in Mark, when Jesus asked about his faith. “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I BELIEVE; HELP THOU MINE UNBELIEF” (Mark 9:24).

Just do your best and trust God to take it from there. Resting in God's faithfulness is tough at times.