It’s raining; it’s pouring.
The winds, they are roaring.
Mustang Sally is out for a ride –
Her “fun”, there’s no controlling!
I’m so thankful for umbrellas today as the effects of Hurricane Sally are beginning to be felt in our area.
And I’m praying for all those in the direct path of Sally to be sheltered under God’s great umbrella of protection!!
Did you catch that?
HIS faithfulness will be my protection.
Not MINE.
Because my faithfulness is fickle. It fluctuates with my circumstances. It wanes as dark times invade. It swells when the winds of good favor blow.
My faithfulness falters in the midst of a battle. It must be bolstered by the prayers of others. It must be stoked and fanned into mere sparks.
No, my faithfulness does not shield me from my enemies or push back the darkness.
HIS faithfulness does.
His faithfulness is never changing. It is not determined by my merit or my righteousness. It is not biased or self-serving.
His faithfulness cannot be measured. It has no limits. It’s reach is higher than the heavens and deeper than the depths of the oceans.
HIS faithfulness offers a shield of protection, a refuge in the storms of life, and warmth and security in times of trouble because this is who God is.
But mine?
My misplaced, feeble faithfulness so often does not accept His offer because this is who I am.
Reason to SMILE #254: SOUNDTRACKS TO LIFE
I am a music person. I love music. I always have the radio playing in the car and at work and, yes, when the music is playing, I am singing along. So it should come to no surprise that at any given moment, there is always a song or two running through my head. The funny thing is each song tends to narrate the events of my life. For example, when I’ve accomplished something big and it’s time to celebrate, what lyrics do you think I hear? “Celebrate good times. Come on!” When a friend stands beside me and helps me through a tough situation, I hear Dionne Warwick singing, “That’s What Friends are For.” When life gets me down and all I want to do is cry but don’t have the time for an emotional crisis, I hold my chin up bravely to the lyrics, “Don’t cry out loud. Just keep it inside…”
That’s not weird… Right? 😂
Well, today was no different. As I waited for Irma to pass and prayed for God to hold in their places all the aging pine trees in my yard, one song was stuck on repeat in my mind:
In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face
While the storm howls above me, and there’s no hiding place
‘Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry
Keep me safe till the storm passes by
Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more
Till the clouds roll forever from the sky
Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand
Keep me safe till the storm passes by*
The songs that run through my head and the strange times at which they do always make me SMILE, even giggle from time to time. On days like today, though, I’m grateful for the soundtracks of my life and the reminder that I have a God who holds me in the hollow of His hand.
* “Til the Storm Passes By” – Mosie Lister
LOOK! THE SUN!!
After the severe storms of January 2nd, the City of Albany and Southwest Georgia sure weren’t looking forward to another storm system rolling through this weekend. Hail, lightning, flooding and tornadoes are not the ingredients for a weekend filled with SMILES. They are, however, great reasons to PRAY.
And pray we did! Through each weather alert, through the continuous rolls of thunder, through every lightning strike, through the heavy downpour of rain and through the intense gusts of wind, we prayed. Then as the SUN broke through the clouds for a few brief moments after the storm had passed, we prayed again thanking God for the reminder that even in the storms, we are never alone!
When the storms of life are brewing, we can SMILE because our God is always with us!
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Image by symbols-n-emoticons.com
A Couple of Stars and a Happy Face 