If that’s what it takes to praise you

This last month has been a downpour of busyness and not to mention over a week of severe sickness for my family. Each and every one of us. At first I was getting a little irritated and was even starting write Dear sickness notes on my facebook that I was totally over you. Because I was. We were missing school, I was missing work, I was getting even farther behind on “stuff”.

Gently though, God nudged my heart to be thankful for the sickness. Thankful that I was able to take care of these two beautiful children in the messy times. They needed me. Thankful I had a warm bed to sleep in and a kitchen full of food since I couldn’t go to the store. Thankful for the time I was at home and not have to be away. Thankful for my washing machine to wash all the clothes and bedding. I needed my home. I needed the rest. I needed the time to just capture the radiance and beauty of being sick so I could be replenished and my soul filled.

It’s hard these days juggling our schedules, work loads, volunteer, bible study, church, housework. teaching my children, and everything else that comes with life. It gets so full sometimes I lose focus. I lose sight of the purpose. To bring God glory through my life.

My most sincere prayer to God is to always praise him in what I do. Over time in my life that God has pierced my heart and pruned my soul, he has never left my side. He has walked with me through it all. I truly love life. I am the girl who believes in the sun even when it’s not shining. I haven’t always been that kind of girl though but it’s always been there deep in soul. There was a dark time in my life through anger and bitterness that I was not a very nice person. I am not proud to say that but God believed in me.

The more anger and bitterness I carried the more darkness overshadowed the sunlight. Until one day I felt this tug at my heart that wooed me like no other. Wanting to rescue me and show me a meaningful life even after all the trials, the pain, the heartache, my failures, my past. The Lord loved me. All the trials that I have encountered has deepened my love for God, not because I survived, but because he has survived even bigger trials.

He lost his life to save mine.

I do believe in the sun even when it’s not shining. The Lord is my Joy and I will praise him even in the rain. If that’s what it takes to praise you.

I will never forget driving one day driving in the car thinking about the times I had suffered and who I am today. Bring the Rain by Mercy Me came on and it was exactly what my prayer was to God. To glorify God with my life. To the God I praise with happy times I will also praise him in my suffering.

Bring the Rain: (MercyMe)
I can count a million times
People asking me, how I
Can praise You with all that I’ve gone through?
The question just amazes me.
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You?

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It’s never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord,
My only shelter from the storm.
But instead I draw closer through these times.
So I pray,

Bring me joy, bring me peace.
Bring the chance to be free.
Bring me anything that brings You glory.
And I know there’ll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to praise You,
Jesus, bring the rain.

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain. You who made a way for me, suffering
Your destiny. So tell me whats a little rain?
[1st Chorus]

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God almighty,
Is the Lord God Almighty,
I’m forever singing
[2nd Chorus 2x]

Everybody singing Holy, holy, holy,
You are holy
You are holy [2nd Chorus 2x]

Love,