It Is Well With My Soul

 It's been another long day of trying to figure out stuff with insurance. I had a few moments of feeling sick to my stomach as I tried to figure some things out. In some ways I feel like we're making progress. In other ways it feels like everything is moving in slow motion. I did finally talk to a lady today who was really helpful.

In between all of that I was practicing songs for my first practice at church tonight. Singing praises to God is a good way to calm my panic. I've had God speak to me in many ways, but songs of worship have always been the biggest way that I hear God speak to me.

There have been many times a song comes on the radio just at the time that I need to hear it the most. I've had times where I have been brought it tears by how God shows up just when I need Him. God spoke to me through a song when he sent me on a mission trip to Ukraine. That was a really big one for me. I was 22, had never left the country and I really didn't plan to go to a 3rd world country. In fact, I laughed at the thought when Clay asked me 2 years before that to go with he and Ruth.

Then one Sunday Clay preached at church and gave a testimony about Ukraine. I felt God moving in me. I felt that nudge ,but I really didn't know for sure. I got in my car after church and turned on my Casting Crowns CD. I always skipped this song because I didn't know it, but for some reason (spoiler alert: GOD) I left it playing. Here's just the first part of the song, but the whole thing was just for me.

If you ask me to leap
Out of my boat on the crashing waves
If You ask me to go
Preach to the lost world that Jesus saves

I'll go, but I cannot go alone
Cause I know I'm nothing on my own
But the power of Christ in me makes me strong
Makes me strong

I've gotten goosebumps by how powerfully a song can speak to me.  One of the first times we sang, "Holy Spirit"  at church, I could feel His presence all over and as I stood there with goosebumps up and down my arms I was wondering if everyone else could feel it too? Another one that always gives me chills is, "It Is Well With My Soul". Get's me every time.

I love passing the songs onto my kids. I've sang to them since the day they were born. I enjoy teaching the "classic" Sunday School songs from my childhood. I sing a lot of the present day songs and I love when they hear them on the radio and start belting out the words!
I even love to just sit and sing old hymns. There's something about singing hymns every now and then that is just so comforting. It's like getting a big hug from God.

I'm excited that I finally made the decision to take my next step and join our worship team at church. I can't wail til Sunday!