Praise you in this storm...

  

  Just back in from spending a Sunday afternoon at Mom and Dad's after worship with our wonderful church family this morning, hearing the Word preached and praising God together and as we sang the words of "When Peace like a River", I could barely keep myself together.  Thursday was a day this week that I lost it... when we found out about Mom's surgery, and just thinking about everything that we've been through in the last few months, and still have to face, I was left so weak and overwhelmed, that it took a while before the words my dear husband was praying to comfort us sank in.  To still the sobs and quench the weeping was something that was done through God's power, and Him alone.  Yet at times, it's still hard to realize and trust that there is a plan for all this...for Ava, for Mom, for my family, for myself and the future.  It's hard to trust and obey, it's hard to take that yoke upon oneself and learn, to cast all our cares upon Him, to wait upon the Lord and His timing.  I stand with hands upraised and voice trembling and tears trickling, sometimes in a torrent and wait, wait for comfort, for joy amidst the darkness, for peace like a river to attend my soul.  And knowing that Jesus is our mediator, who brings our prayers, petitions and pleadings before the throne of God is a comfort... to know that He hears and loves and strengthens our weak knees and hands.  

    As a small update, for those of you who are praying for our family, my dear Mom's surgeon called her this evening to let her know that he's got an emergency surgery tomorrow morning, so she's been bumped back a bit until early afternoon.  My dad and sisters hope to be able to be there to wait for Mom to come out of surgery - so glad we can be together at a time like this, even with so much going on (somehow, I've got to fit in a visit to the Juravinski tomorrow afternoon for bloodwork and the okay from the pharmacist to proceed with chemo#4 on Tuesday, craziness!)  We covet your prayers for peace for Mom, for a blessing on the hands of the surgeons and for a successful operation, that she may soon be feeling more strength and energy as her heart function improves.  

    I will leave you with the words of a song that is constantly a presence in my head and a prayer on my lips...

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

[Chorus x2]