It's Then Sings My Soul Saturady and I'm linking up with Amy of Signs, Miracles and Wonders.
This past month I participated in a 31 day commitment to Praise the Lord in this Moment at eLisa's Extravagant Grace.
What a wonderful experience that was! Despite the storms in life, we can still praise the Lord in this moment. It was a good exercise for me and one I plan to continue.
In the house where we are temporarily living, I strategically tacked up a small plaque above the toilet. Here's what it says:
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Not a bad place to post something you want to remember. My husband Greg has even begun talking about learning to dance in the rain. I guess guys have a better view. :)
I had to post this Casting Crowns song for today. What a good reminder for me and you~
No matter what's going on in your life, there's always something to praise God for. Can you name a few?
Blessings and love,
This was so uplifting. Thank you for the great song and reminders. People used to tell me, "One day at a time" when I was grieving...but this is more meaningful to me:"Praise Him in this moment"! When I choose to open my mouth and sing and give thanks even through tears, God is exalted, and the enemy is pretty confused!
ReplyDeleteI praise God for my lovebug, my family, my friends, and every breathe I take.
ReplyDeleteI so love you!
ReplyDeletePraising God for His faithfulness! His love! His peace that surpasses all understanding! The way He restores a heart and soul. I could go on all day praising Him! I don't think we praise Him enough thus our eyes are on the circumstances before us rather than THE ONE who will be faithful to give us the grace to get through it!
Love you!
Jill
It would take pages and pages
ReplyDeleteto list all the things I am
praising God for. But a few
that come to mind instantly
are His love and faithfulness,
my husband and sons, our health,
home, food, clothes, cars, church,
country, friends. See? It is a
wonderful never-ending list!
Love,
Sandy
I praise God for a wonderful husband and dad, for our health, for my hubby's job, for food and shelter...
ReplyDeleteThis song has helped me through so many tough times. And I was just thinking this very morning that I need to make a more conscious effort to be thankful for God's gifts in THIS moment, which is exactly what you're saying!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie, for being a consistent echo from the Father. You are definitely a blessing I am thankful for in this moment.
Love you,
Lisa
Oh, Debbie, where do I start??? I can look back at my life and see His hand at every turn, leading the way and pulling me in His direction.
ReplyDeleteI know this sounds weird, but a few years ago I got very, very ill and almost died. That time took me to such a different place in my life, in my home, in my marriage. I had to make choices, not just to regain my strength, but choices that would affect everyone in my family - me not working any longer. I had a hard time regaining my strength and still, years later, hit the exhaustion walls.
Not only did God choose to keep me here, but he gave me an open heart to service. Opening my home, opening my heart. Still at home and I love it. I love living without the stress, love having a schedule that suits me, love caring for my family and friends, and love having the time for others. I love knowing I can say Yes, instead of I don't have the time.
Who would think it would take me being at death's door to get me on the path He wanted me on? And, that our family would be so blessed by my illness?
The part that was so uncertain, the financial has all worked out. We realized we could be just fine on one income and that so many of our needs were just wants. We sold the expensive to maintain home and now live in a neighborhood that is the best place we've ever lived. We met a neighbor that was planting a new church. We've been a part of that plant and it's been awesome to see so many want to be in church every Sunday and want to fellowship.
Great, thought provoking post. Sorry for the "book."
Had I not become so ill, would our lives be where they are today? God's plans, all God's plans.
We just TRUSTED that it would all be ok, and it has been.
Amen and amen!! We all must have a "yet" praise. Even though I am in the midst of a storm, yet I will praise Him. Even though it doesn't seem like I have enough money in the bank to cover my bills, Yet I will praise Him. Thanks for sharing such an inspirational and empowering post. Have a bless weekend!!
ReplyDeleteOh Debbie...I do LOVE this song and I listen to it alot!! The words are so powerful and YES even in our weakest, darkest moments there is always something to praise God for!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for posting this...
Hugs and Blessings,
~Lynn♥
I LOVE this song! Thanks so much for sharing it today!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to put that plaque too! =)
I love this song. I have so much to be thankful for in my life! I praise God for my husband, children, church family, blogging friends (like you), provision, forgiveness.....the list goes on and on. Praising Him with you today. I am going to learn to dance in the rain!
ReplyDeleteThis song has held a very special place in my heart for so many reasons. It came out when our trials started to mount up.
ReplyDeleteIt was the song that brought our family comfort as well as our neighbor.
We saw the ambulance pull up outside our neighbor's home, the calls came for prayer.
We walked out to see our neighbor, of age 45 be wheeled out on a stretcher he had died!
He left behind a 18 and 16 year olds and a wife.
He had died while watching TV...without any prior health problems.
As I grieved with them I would sing this song over and over again!
The truth in this song, to this day, is still so strong in my heart....with each trial that comes my way.
I've come to believe that some of the richest beauty in my life has been born of storms. Gray, misty skies and torrential downpours often obscure the very light that is ours, for truly we are Children of the Light.
ReplyDeleteBring on the rain, and let's dance together!
Love,
Kathleen
Yes! Yes! Yes! I love this song, it always speaks to me. I also say YES to all the blessings I have, and thank God for them. Is life without problems?? NO! Can we praise Him anyway?? Yes we can. So this is a great reminder to do just that, today!!
ReplyDeleteLove you sis!
Wow! What a song with such a great message for you and all of us today. I thought the message hanging in your bathroom is so neat also. You are a woman of remarkeable strenth, and an inspiration to so many of us.
ReplyDeleteSue
I love that saying. One of my favorite bloggers has that as her header. When I am worried, scared or hurt, I always try to remember to do nothing but praise the Lord. Sometimes that is hard to do, but that is when we need to the most. God Bless. Hope you have a Blessed weekend. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeletedear debbie,
ReplyDeletei always feel so encouraged when i visit
here. what a wonderful song and senti-
ment!
i praise Him for His nearness and under
girding power. and for His grace to push
through these rainy days.
love,
lea
loved this post and one of my very favorite songs...ever....
ReplyDeleteThis song is powerful. This morning I was watching Susanna and we had Saturday cartoons on. I switched the channel to a Christian station and they had the same silly type messages but so upbeat and the praise music for kids filled my living room. Praise is the key. It's magical. I'm also speaking out loud to negative thoughts. God's Word works!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this song! I am thankful for Him, that He would seek me out, woo me, save and deliver me... and because He gave me such wonderful blogging friends, who are so encouraging ;)
ReplyDeleteBlessigs to you Debbie... I am glad we crossed blogging paths :D
So very nice to meet you Debbie. This is a lovely post and beautiful lyrics. I'm thankful for my family and my cirlce of blog friends. Such a blessing to meet folks from different parts of the country and to share our love of the Lord with one another.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Debbie. Dancing in the rain. I'm learning that move right here, right now. The tears crying out from my heart make the loudest pling on the solid rock on which I stand. But there is no other place I'd rather be crying out to the Lord. Keep turning to Him, my sweet friend. Oh I hope one day we get to meat in real life. I'd love to hug your neck with the love Jesus has for you!
ReplyDeleteOh Debbie this was such a good post. I love where you put up your little sign...perfect, haha. And soo true of course. This last has been one of the fullest of trials and stresses I hsve had in quite some time. And it isn't over yet. And yet I can honestly say it has also been a time of great growth in Him. His faithfulness to me is soo undeserving and soo wonderful it is at times overwhelming. Have a good week. HUGS, Debbie
ReplyDeleteI praise God that He is always with me, for His love, joy and peace. That is a wonderful song. Praying for you, my sweet sister ~ Love you ~
ReplyDeleteI love that song from Casting Crowns!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to stop by and let you know that I just came across your comment on my devotional "Unleashing the Power of Praise" at Granola Bar Devotional. I responded to your comment there.
Praise is something that is at the forefront of my mind recently. I'm really thinking about that whole concept of living a lifestyle of praise. When we continually lift up praises to God, practicing the attitude of gratitude, it's amazing how our whole attitude can be transformed from negative to positive. You know? I'm actually looking to start a study on praise on my blog in the next couple of weeks. I'd love for you to join in! We can learn about praise together! :)
Hope you have a wonderful week!
Karen