Thankful

Obviously, we've all just been through a week where the focus was on being Thankful. I like to think that as Christians, we don't limit our thanksgiving to one week of the year! I know that when Thanksgiving rolls around, it does make us focus more on the things that we give thanks for. Among the more obvious ones for me: healthy kids, family, friends, church family, health...that list can go on and on. But one thing that I have come to realize lately that is SO important to me, and that I'm SO thankful for, is music.

This might seem strange (to some of you, I know it doesn't, because some of you love music as much as I do). I can't remember a time in my life where music didn't play a huge role. My dad has been a song leader all of my life, and for a large part of my life, was a choral director. I grew up with that. I have a tape of my dad and I singing together when I was 2 years old (we played it at my wedding just before he walked me down the isle). I took piano lessons for 9 years. I sang in chorus from 7th grade until I graduated. I sing on the praise team at church...music is probably about the most consistent thing in my life! There isn't a day that goes by that I don't hear music, play music, or sing music. Thank God for the gift of song!!!

I have really come to realize lately that music is the way that I communicate best with God. The praise songs that we sing (and that are a constant on my car radio) say exactly what I would like to express to God! Music/song is MY best form of worship...it's not for everyone, and each person has their own personal way that they feel most comfortable worshipping, and mine is speaking to God, and crying out to Him, through song. Sometimes, when I beat myself up for not praying as often as I should, I remind myself that I've been in prayer while I'm listening to or singing these songs to God.

There have been several times when I've posted song lyrics as my post for the day. I have been listening to a CD lately that has several on there that I would like to post at some point, but today, I thought it would be fitting to post one called Gratitude.

Send some rain, would You send some rain?

'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again

And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade

Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?

Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down

Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid

But maybe not, not today

Maybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

For lessons learned in how to thirst for You

How to bless the very sun that warms our face

If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread

Bless our bodies, keep or children fed

Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight

Wrap us up and warm us through

Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs

Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time

Or maybe not, not today

Maybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

A lesson learned to hunger after You

That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead

And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between

Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace

Move our hearts to hear a single beat

Between alibis and enemies tonight

Or maybe not, not today

Peace might be another world away

And if that's the case...

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

For lessons learned in how to trust in You

That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream

In abundance or in need

And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please