Monday, May 24, 2010

Thankful in the Valley

We had our Choir Appreciation dinner last Wednesday. It is always rather bitter-sweet to me. There is delicious food, great fellowship and an awesome time of praise and worship, but I am sad that we won't have choir again until August. Having said that, our choir director always has someone special come to lead us in worship. This year it was Michael Neale. It was incredible.

He wrote "Your Great Name." We recorded that song this past year. It is such a powerful song - absolutely God given. He sang it Wednesday night at the end of the program, and oh how it ministered.

There was one other song though, one I had never heard, that just pierced my heart. It spoke to the place where my spirit is living right now:

"On Mountains High"

"On mountains high
I'll praise Your name.
In valleys low
I'll do the same.
And as the river runs to find the ocean blue
My heart will always run to find You."

I am learning, as Ann says, to find the beauty in the ugly; to praise Him even when I'm in the midst of the storm or when things don't go my way. There is no raging storm right now; nothing terrible happening. It is just one of those times when all the small difficulties gather themselves together into a cumbersome bundle...

I thank you for the dark clouds Father, that somehow seem to hide Your face. These days they have a different consistency - a hard, thick surface that would keep my prayers from reaching You and hold back Your voice.


"But I, O Lord, have cried out to Thee for help, and in the morning my prayer comes before Thee. O Lord, why dost Thou reject my soul? Why dost Thou hide Thy face from me?"
Palm 88: 13,14

I am thankful that no matter how dark things seem or how silent heaven appears - He never forgets me.


"Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him.
The help of my countenance, and my God."
Psalm 42: 11

I am so thankful for His promises:
"In the morning, O Lord, Thou wilt hear my voice;
In the morning I will order my prayer to Thee
and eagerly watch."
Psalm 5: 3

He is faithful, I know that He is. The beautiful blue sky has not disappeared. It is merely obscured from my view for a little while. The heavy clouds will drive me to Him, if I will allow it, and all will be well even in the midst of the darkness.

The gratitude community gathers each Monday to give thanks. Won't you join us?



Blessings,
Linda