Pray It Anyway

Does prayer really work?  Can YOU hear my pain and agony?  Where is MY God?  There are so many times in my life where I have question after question after question.  Inside my head are thoughts upon thoughts - ideas upon ideas.  I then question some more.  I'm suppose to turn everything over to YOU?  Are YOU sure that YOU can handle it?   

I have been told to put my life into YOUR hands and YOU will take over.  And then the questions start all over again.  Can't I have some control?  YOU say that YOU will be there for me ALWAYS - so, will YOU?  If I make a mistake, will YOU still be there for me?  What if I don't pray the right way?  Am I really that selfish?  

And pretty soon the questions all seem to subside, the quietness of HIS presence enters my mind and then I'm off in a different place.  I clearly hear HIS voice.  Just listen to me Trish.  Think of the great love and grace that I have for you right when you need ME.  Let the anger vanish and fill your heart with joy.  I created you to become more like ME.  Reach out to those in need.  Share the complete joy that has been placed inside of your heart with those around you.  Put all of the gossip aside ~ and whatever you do, don't dwell on the past ~ let go and let God.  Lastly Trish, you need to forgive.  The human part of me then steps in once again...how do I forgive?  And the answer is simple...you have already placed your trust in ME when you asked ME to come into your heart many years ago ~ now just believe.  And suddenly ALL of the questions just disappear and my answer is ~ I TRUST IN YOU PRECIOUS LORD AND SAVIOR.   

Lyrics to "Anyway"

By:  Martina McBride

You can spend your whole life building
Something from nothin'
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway
 

This world's gone crazy
And it's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
And in a moment they can choose to walk away
Love 'em anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
Yea - I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singing
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yea - sing it anyway

I sing
I dream
I love
Anyway

God's Blessings,

Trish

"For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
 my confidence since my youth."   Psalms 71:5 

           

Music...Reflect...Music...Reflect

As a very young child, I listened over and over to

"Music Box Dancer" performed by Frank Mills.  

As I listen to the song today, I am brought right back to the feelings that arose when I was a child.  The feelings of simplicity in such a large, complex world.  My life just ready to blossom and bloom right before my very own eyes.  What will I be?  Who will I become?  What will I do?  Who will come and go in my life?  What friendships will be treasured the most?  What friends and family will I gain and lose?  Will I be accepted for who I am?  Where is my journey going to take me to?  How many tears will be shed along the way?  How much laughter will be shared?  Will I get married?  Will I have any children?  Will I be happy?  What does this world have to offer to me?

And then there was a whisper in my ear from Him - communicating wisdom only He could share with me - wisdom to share with you. 

 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of
what we do not see."
Hebrew 11:1

"For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth."
Psalms 71:5

I no longer need to wonder - I know - I know that He has a plan for me and for you.  So, close your eyes and reflect on where you started and then where you are currently at - leave the future in God's hands for only

He knows what is in store for you.  

No longer be the caterpillar in the cocoon - 

become the butterfly and be set free.

God's Blessings,

Trish

"This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD."
Jeremiah 9:23-24

 

What It Means To Be Held

"Held" by Natalie Grant

I first would like to share the words to this wonderful song.

Two months is too little
They let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence
Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling
Who told us we'd be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
Were asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it's unfair
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We'd be held
This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it and
Let the hatred numb our sorrows
The wise hand opens slowly
To lilies of the valley and tomorrow
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We'd be held
If hope if born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait, for one hour
Watching for our savior
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We'd be held

What does it exactly mean to be held?  Here are a few meanings that I found in a dictionary (as a verb & noun).

- to bear, sustain, or support, as with the hands or arms, or by any other means.

- to have or keep in the hand; keep fast; grasp

- to have or keep in the mind; think or believe

- to remain fast; adhere; cling

- to remain attached, faithful, or steadfast (usually followed by to )

- a fortified place; stronghold

- to consider of a certain value; rate

 

Someone questioned what the song meant.  Here is a response that I found that summarizes the meaning - much more than what I would ever be able to do justice to.  Her statement is referring to the last part of the song.

This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held

It is all about having to watch Jesus die, knowing that it was not fair. It was not fair that a sinless, guiltless man had to die in order for the world to be saved, but it was God's promise. The song is basically saying that watching Jesus die showed what it meant to be loved, that someone willing to send their only son, someone willing to be that son, and having that son die, shows the true meaning of God's love. That even when everything is bad, when life seems unfair, we are still held by God's love because He sent His son and when Jesus died and rose again, that was the promise He left behind, that no matter what we would be loved.

God will love us in the lowest low and in the highest high. The song is about there being nothing that we could ever do to make God love us less. We are always held by Him.

The song, however, is not saying that Jesus died so that God would always love and hold us. It is saying that Jesus died to SHOW US that we are loved ALWAYS, and that we are never alone, when we feel like life is horrible and we want to give up, the song is saying that Jesus' dying should have showed us that we are always held.

~~~

Trish's viewpoint...

This song really brings the story of Lent to each and every one of us in a personal manner - to know that there is hope in times of suffering.  The days of Lent have always been difficult for me throughout my life - times of struggles, trials, temptations, abuse, memories, births, deaths, hardships, illnesses, pain, agony, hopelessness, depression, anxiety, frustrations, helplessness, sadness and so much more.

Yet, I know deep down in my heart that there is a reason for everything in this life - to ultimately bring me closer to Him.  Each and every dark corner of my life has always shone glimmers of hope.  I can close my eyes and still know that the light of hope is always there.  Always knowing that tomorrow is a new day - fresh and renewed - is so rewarding and hopeful.  

This then brings me to the knowing of Easter.  Memories of depression and anxiety being completely lifted, the baptism of my oldest son, Brendan and the conception of my youngest son, Jameson.  Are these all coincidences?  Looking back, I would say, "not at all".  This is God's way of saying - see Trish, I told you so.  These are ways that God answers ALL of my doubts and questions.  Some of the questions that I have asked...are you really there God?  Did your Son, Jesus Christ, really make a sacrifice for me and everyone else in this world?  Will I be able to share His love with my children and grandchildren?

So, I come back to this line in the song...

If hope if born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait, for one hour
Watching for our savior

And of course the chorus to follow-up...

This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We'd be held 

   

Only a few weeks away Easter will be here!  I know very well the road that Jesus took in order to be MY Lord and Savior - the greatest sacrifice that He made for ME and YOU.  Here's a parting blessing that is very familiar to many of us.    

May The Road

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
~ Traditional Gaelic Blessing ~

God's Blessings,

Trish

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10

"The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1

Simply Amazing

One of my favorite hymns of all time is "Amazing Grace".  Just thinking of the words to the song makes me think of simple times and how amazing life really is.

I found this 7 year old singing "Amazing Grace" - her name is Rhema Marvanne.  She lost her Mother, Wendi, to cancer in 2008.  Rhema gives her Mother all the credit when it comes to her singing abilities.  I can't imagine being a little girl and losing your very own Mother at such a young age.

As you take the time to listen to this amazing young child singing her heart out to God, close your eyes and think of the grace that God gives each one of us so freely.  There have been times in my life when I didn't feel that God was on my side and that I was all on my own in this very large world.  But then a dear friend of mine told me a little something that will be with me forever.  She said to me.... Trish, when you feel all alone, imagine yourself being held in Jesus' arms and that He is rocking you back-and-forth, back-and-forth, back-and-forth.  Just "My" time and just with "Him".  The busyness of life along with the loneliness just seems to part from my mind immediately.  All focus is on "Him" and "Me".  Ahhh......comfort, peace, love and support. 

I then take the rocking to the next level in my life.  My arms are always open to holding my children close and rocking them back-and-forth, back-and-forth, back-and-forth.  They start off in my arms quite restless and then begin to calm down within a matter of minutes ~ taking my hand through their hair, rubbing their back, saying a prayer out loud, singing a sweet song in their ear, counting their fingers and toes, kissing them gently on the forehead, saying several "I Love Yous", smelling their sweet aroma and sometimes just sitting still in awe and wonder.  I then begin to praise and thank God for sharing two special gifts with me.  He knows that I cannot raise these boys alone, so He not only provides Himself, but also a loving husband along with caring family and friends.

So, the next time that you feel alone or overwhelmed, take a moment out of your day or night and imagine being held in His arms while being rocked back-and-forth, back-and-forth, back-and-forth.  All the while remembering that you are a precious gift from God - that you matter.

~ The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe ~

Proverbs 18:10 

God's Blessings,

Trish

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!

A blog is a great place to inspire others with some thoughts along with sharing bits and pieces of my life.  So, hang on ~ because we are going on a ride of a lifetime.  

Just recently I heard of an idea.  Someone suggested to have people state awesome moments in their lives - the sky is the limit as to what to share with others.  So, I thought that I would share a few that come to my mind.  Please feel free to add to my list.

Some things that come to my mind would be...

~ Receiving Christ into your heart

~ The smell of a baby

~ The smell of fresh rain

~ The first time your child says, "I Love You"

~ Seeing a beautiful rainbow after a storm

~ Holding a newborn baby

~ Saying "I Do"

~ Praying together

~ Watching children praise God

~ The very first step a child takes

~ Frost blanketing all of the surroundings

~ Catching snowflakes on your tongue

~ Splashing in the puddles (water & mud)

~ Riding a bicycle for the very first time

~ Getting your driver's license

~ Turning "Sweet 16"

~ Your first date

Each one of us are unique individuals - not one of us are alike.  Yet, we are all children of God.

~ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God ~
  Romans 8:14

My prayer for each one of you is that of joy, comfort and peace.

God's Blessings,
Trish