Praise You in this Storm

Praise You in This Storm
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms

I was sure by now,God, that 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 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.

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 raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and 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

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

I know this song isn't a new song, but it has been one of the songs that keeps coming into my mind throughout the day. And "Praise you in this Storm" seems to be one of the themes that keeps coming up in our journey. We have been learning to praise and be thankful to the Lord even during one of the hardest times of our lives. Even though we are experiencing pain and sadness, there are still things that we can be thankful for. We are thankful for Cohen, for all the support we have received, and we are thankful that we can trust in God and lean on him through this. We are thankful that Carter is in heaven where he is free from pain and he gets to be with Jesus. We are thankful that we will see him again someday!

The other thing I have been learning is that all of this going on doesn't change who God is. It doesn't change his promises and it doesn't change who I am in Him. God is still God. He is still good, kind, and compassionate. He still loves me and hurts with me. He still wants to know all my thoughts, even if they are ones of sadness and sorrow. He still wants me to trust, more now than ever, in his plan for my life, Danny's life, and Cohen's life. While we may be changing, learning, and growing, He is the same.

And for a change of scenery, here's my family last Christmas. Thanks for everything guys!

 Here we are last summer enjoying the nice August weather on a hike...we are sort of glad it hasn't been that nice since we spend most of our time inside (sorry!).

And our kitty Russell, who is now enjoying his own mostly empty house...if only we could get him to make the house payment!