The midst of our storms

 

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 

~ Casting Crowns

In our most joyful of moments it is easily forgotten how to offer praise to our Heavenly Father, thanking him for all the blessings He bestows upon us.  In our most painful moments, however, when we are down on our knees, praying for the storm to pass quickly, then we call upon Him, hoping he will hear our anguish.  Why is this?  Why are we so forgetful in times of a bountiful supply of goodness do we fail to embrace the One who created us, gave us life, and formed us with an intelligent intricate design of His image?

We are instructed to call upon Him in all moments of our life, offering thanksgiving for what we are going through.  This is much easier when we are experiencing joy - when we are allowing ourselves to recognize the goodness in our lives.  Such is the same when we feel our world is crashing around us.  We are to offer thanksgiving during these times - thankful we are learning from our experiences if nothing else. 

Yet, we are small and easily distracted by the joy and sorrow we often times forget to show our appreciation.  

Casting Crowns has a song that each time I hear it takes me to so many levels of my life. In the minutes it takes for the group to sing the lyrics I am reminded of great moments of joy and sorrow I have experienced.  There have been dark moments in my life when the song has come on, and I am in my car shedding full tears of shame for how I treat the Lord in times of happiness and sorrow.  Every time I have felt alone, yet He has been beside me, waiting to offer me the hand up I need, waiting to embrace me with His love, His power, His strength.  Every time I have felt I did not deserve goodness in my life, He has been there to remind me I am His beautiful daughter, given every opportunity to live the life He has offered me.  A life filled with His promise, His love, His delight in my praise.

I don't image the Lord of all Lords sitting on His high seat, pulling strings attached to our limbs similar to a marionette puppet, mocking us and allowing or guiding us to danger zones.  I don't image His intentions for my life are that of a bully.  Yet, when I fail to offer thanks for any situation I am in, I am showing the highest disregard for His amazing grace of allowing me another day with those I love, another day at accomplishing His plan He has put upon my life.  He asks us to give thanks, to show our appreciation in all we have...and with the sincerity.  He does not want our fair-weathered prayers on a consistent basis, but our faithful prayers at all times.

I have been working on giving my thanks regardless of my situation.  Lately, this has been very easy to remember.  Life has been a brilliant mixture of pain and joy every day recently.  While one aspect may be going well, another seems to be falling apart.  There have been moments where I have felt so broken and beyond repair, times I have curled into a fetal position due to what and where I am placed in my life.  I drive to work, praying for things to work out in one area I need help, while offering thanks with a sincere heart.  I will be at work, repeating the same concerns to Him that are heavy on my heart, but offering my appreciation that I have come as far as I have.  I drive home from work, thankful my day is over and again, talking to Him of matters I cannot share with another person.  In doing this, I feel His presence - know He has not left, know He is giving me all I need, comforting me as I cry to Him of my concerns. 

I am blessed beyond all measure this world can understand.