As I sat in the dark field last night, pondering the sad realities of life going on all around me, I remembered a few lines from a popular Christmas song I've heard many times in my life. It's so true - my wishes have drastically changed as the years have gone by. My thoughts echo those of the song artist...
No more lives torn apart And wars would never start And time would heal our hearts Everyone would have a friend And right would always win And love would never end This is my grown up Christmas list.
Keep praying for the work in Cambodia, and of course everywhere in the world. Truly, people need our Lord.
I thought I'd share a Christmas song with thought-provoking lyrics. So often I just sing songs through and don't really think about the words, when if I really listened, I'd be so inspired by their profoundness. Here is one of my favorites...
Do You Have Room? Shawna Edwards
They journeyed far, a weary pair;
They sought for shelter from the cold night air.
Some place where she could lay her head,
Where she could give her Babe a quiet bed.
Was there no room? No corner there?
In all the town a spot someone could spare?
Was there no soul come to their aid?
A stable bare was where the family stayed.
Do you have room for the Savior? And do you seek Him anew?
Have you a place for the One who lived and died for you?
Are you as humble as a shepherd boy, or as wise as men of old?
Would you have come that night? Would you have sought the light?
Do you have room?
A star arose, a wondrous light,
A sign from God — this was the holy night,
And yet so few would go to see
The Babe who came to rescue you and me.
This Child divine is now a King.
The gift of life to all the world He brings,
And all mankind He saves from doom,
But on that night, for Him, there was no room.
Do you have room for the Savior? And do you seek Him anew?
Have you a place for the One who lived and died for you?
Are you as humble as a shepherd boy, or as wise as men of old?
Would you have come that night? Would you have sought the light?
Do you have room?
Will you come tonight? Will you seek the light?
Do you have room?
A friend recently shared this song on her blog, and I thought it was beautiful. So I'll let you read it too:
Bury My Heart
A young girl weeps in a far distant land;
She has no one to show her God’s love.
No mother or father to wipe away her tears,
She cries out in the night alone.
Bury my heart on the mission field, Lord;
I’ll go to dry that young girl’s tears.
I’ll serve You no matter where the path may lead;
Lord, please bury my heart.
A mother grieves for her starving child;
She has no shelter from the cold.
Earthly provisions will ease their suffering,
But who will feed their empty souls?
Bury my heart on the mission field, Lord;
I’ll give the gospel to the suffering ones.
I’ll go wherever You want me to go;
Lord, please bury my heart.
Will you ignore these lost souls in the night?
Can you hear their pleading cries?
They’re begging for someone to show them the way –
We must go before another one dies.
Bury my heart on the mission field, Lord;
These distant voices won’t fade away.
I’ll do Your will whatever the cost;
Lord, please bury my heart.
I’ll do Your will whatever the cost;
Lord, please bury my heart.
Lord, I give You my heart.
Today's theme: lyrics that have meant something special to me this year.
I had a couple of top choices, and finally settled on this song. It is such a beautiful song, full of assurance and peace. I have played it again many times this year when wondering just what God was up to. He always reminds me that He is right there, and that no matter what happens, I can completely trust everything He does. So many things in life change, but God never does. Never, ever. Your Faithfulness Brian Doerksen I don't know what this day will bring Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things? I don't know what tomorrow holds Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness
I don't know if these clouds mean rain If they do, will they pour down blessing or pain? I don't know what the future holds Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness
Certain as the rivers reach the sea Certain as the sunrise in the east I can rest in your faithfulness Surer than a mother's tender love Surer than the stars still shine above I can rest in your faithfulness
I don't know how or when I'll die Will it be a thief, or will I have a chance to say goodbye? No, I don't know how much time is left But in the end, I will know your faithfulness
When darkness overwhelms my soul When thoughts and storms of doubt Still I trust You are always faithful, always faithful
Certain as the rivers reach the sea Certain as the sunrise in the east I can rest in your faithfulness Surer than a mother's tender love Surer than the stars still shine above I can rest in your faithfulness
I don't know what this day will bring Will it be disappointing, filled with longed for things? I don't know what tomorrow holds Still I know I can trust Your faithfulness
My new favorite song. Apparently it's everyone else's, too... but oh well. The words are worthy of repeat, and good to think about.
Blessings by 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
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 raindrops
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
And 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
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
But long that we'd have the faith to believe
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home,
‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And 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
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise
