blessings

Today I was going to write a blog about throwing a birthday party on a thrifty budget but there is this song that has been running through my mind and heart all day.  As I heard it on the radio today, I could completely relate to the words... but not for anything I am currently going through (at least not that I am aware of!)  But as I sat down to write out tonight's blog, I couldn't get the nagging feeling that I needed to copy and paste these lyrics.  I've read through them a couple of times just to make sure and yep, I just need to post them.  So if these words are meant for you, then I hope you "hear" what you need to "hear."

"Blessings"
Laura Story
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home
'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise 



Within this song, there is a phrase that is one of my favorites, even from when I was younger, my constant reminder: "This is not our home."
This life is just a blink.
This life is just a quick breath.
This life is nothing when compared to eternity.
I can deal with this life and all its uncomfortableness and heartache, disorder and frustration.  I can deal with discrimination (for my faith) and sickness and even death.  This is fleeting.  Someday, I will be in heaven for eternity.
That will be my joy.  
That IS my joy.

KC

By the way, Laura Story will be in Ripon for a concert in the beginning of August.  There are flyers all over town, but you can also find more info here.