The Calmer of Storms

This weekend's hurricane is taking a back seat to the other event going on in my life right now. My son is leaving for the Air Force. This isn't just him going away to college and home on a weekend every now and then. He's leaving. He will no longer be a child living in our home, but an adult son who visits. Those visits will not be often, and we are not guaranteed when they will come. At this point, we are told we won't see him this Christmas, but maybe in January or February before he is stationed somewhere. I think I've been in denial, just because I didn't want to have to deal with the emotional aspect. The past few weeks I've been trying to get my mind there, and the tears have flowed often. It has brought about a whole new sense of what it means to entrust your child to the Father. Just when I think I'm there, and I am going to be okay with this, another wave of tears comes. I have been experiencing what it means to truly need Him every hour. I have this CD in my van and have been playing it often. It's Jadon Lavik's "Roots Run Deep", and it's a collection of some wonderful hymns of the faith. It has been such a solace for this mama's soul. I love the richness of every word in these hymns, but these two in particular have brought me much comfort. Even if you are very familiar with these hymns, I encourage you to listen to the links I've connected here before the lyrics to each song. They are peace to the soul.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlNQLDn0pRc

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;

1. No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
   • I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
     Every hour I need Thee;
     Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
     I come to Thee.
2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
   Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.
3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
   Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

The other hymn that has ministered to me on this CD is "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Only Jesus knows my heart and the hurts that it feels right now. He is the best Friend there ever is. Earthly friendships come and go, we are misunderstood, we let others down and we are let down, we walk on eggshells, we seek not to hurt or be hurt, and sometimes try to be what we are not. Every earthly relationship seems to take some type of effort to make it work. Even marriages, the strongest bond on this side of heaven, take work. But there's no trying with Jesus. I rest in Him. He already knows me fully. He accepts me and loves me just as I am. I don't have to try to explain myself to Him or tell Him even how I feel. He knows. He cares. He loves unconditionally. He loves Andrew more than I do, and He loves ME more than I love Andrew. He is a faithful Friend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd7ybpCidHY

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

1. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

"It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him." Lamentations 3:22-24 (AMP)