Sometimes an ordinary thing can become a little extraordinary when God takes over. There are times when no one else sees God’s activity but you know He has done something special just for you. I’m excited to share with you my recent small touch of assurance.
Last Friday I was on my way to the cemetery. I had actually been on the way to town and was planning the cemetery stop for later in the day but realized I wouldn’t have time later so turned the car around and headed back to Hallsville.
Because it was a rather emotional day for me I decided I would just like to hear some voices other than my own and turned on the radio and when the music started playing I caught my breath and felt warm all over. The very first song to infiltrate my car was “How Can I Keep From Singing” by Chris Tomlin.
If you have followed my blogs you may remember I had a history with this song as God used it to encourage me to keep my focus on Him when Eric was in the hospital the last time. I knew that song was just for me at just this time; an ordinary moment in the life of the DJ, an extraordinary one in mine.
When leaving the cemetery, I again hit the button and turned on the radio. Now I’m really amazed; there’s a Matthew West song playing and (some of) the lyrics are:
Don’t be mad if I cry, it just hurts so bad, sometimes ‘Cause everyday it’s sinking in and I have to say goodbye all over again. You know I bet it feels good to have the weight of this world off your shoulders now. I’m dreaming of the day when I’m finally there with you.
I have asked the questions why but I guess the answer’s for another time. So instead I pray, with every tear and be thankful for the time I had you here. I wanna live my life just like you did. Make the most of my time just like you did. And I want to make my home up in the sky just like you did. (Save a Place for Me by Matthew West and Sam Mizell)
I had never heard that song before but it had my attention. It was another memo from God just for me. But it gets even better! The next song was Jesus Calling by 33 Miles which says:
What do you see when you look at your world today? Do you see a glimmer of hope, or has it all turned to gray? Well start by counting your blessings one by one oh, and I’m sure right there, you’ll start to see the sun.
You see there’s always another story, another side to every coin. And how you see your circumstance is all about a choice….You may be scared to death but I won’t let you go. You may think the sky above is falling but can you hear Jesus calling ….Because the darker the night, the brighter He can shine.
That one had me pegged as well. I am a ‘blessing counter’ and always try to look on the bright side but that can be hard. I need to be reminded that Jesus can shine brightly in my darkness and I need to weigh my choices. We all need to weigh our choices.
By this time I’m almost to town but God has more in store for me. Next is the 2009 song by Steven Curtis Chapman “Heaven is the Face”. Some of you probably know of the heartache their family has endured at the loss of their little girl and this song addresses the topic of loss and what heaven must be like with her there. I have attached this one for you to hear.
Can you believe it? There were four songs in a row that all dealt with loss, praising in the midst of pain and Jesus always being present. But guess what. In Christ Alone was the next tune to come on! …No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me. From life’s first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. ‘til He returns or calls me home here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
Now, somewhere some radio station employee was simply putting together a play list and all these songs happened to be on it, one after another, at just the right time of the morning for me to hear them. My plans changed so I would be in the car for every one of them. Ordinary or extraordinary? God is ALWAYS involved in our daily lives. Some days we just see it a little more clearly than others. Sometimes we CHOOSE to see it and sometimes we don’t but that doesn’t mean He’s absent. I’m so thankful to know He cares about how I feel and what I need. I’m so grateful to be so well taken care of.
Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)
JEV 