Awestruck at the Awesomeness of God

The longer I live and the places I get to go, the more awestruck I am by the majesty of God. What a genius He is! I bask in His meticulous handiwork everywhere. This last week I found myself in awe of Him even more while at the Sea of Cortez where all kinds of driftwood, shells, extraordinary plants and birds are everywhere. I even found 3-leaf clovers on a rock wall and had the opportunity to talk to my grandson about St. Patrick and how he used the 3-leaf clover to describe the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Thank you, God, for your brilliant way of helping me teach a good Bible lesson!

Bryson and I are the beach scavengers. The many varieties of seashells are the most amazing to me -- washed up from the sea or ocean and are scattered all along the beach. They certainly pull on our imaginations. Intrigued, we pluck them up from the sand to gawk at their colors, shapes, and sizes or hold them to our ear to hear the echoing sea.

My Bryson is the animal-of-any-kind lover so he was very bothered when I pulled a very-attached shell off a rock! “You’ve killed it, Nana! How could you?” My ignorance of shell life, as well as my sympathetic whine, helped my plea for forgiveness! He forgave!

To this gal, growing up on the prairies, seashells represent just about the most exotic and attractive natural objects on earth. But, what is most impressive is God, our Creator, Who came up with the idea of these seashells that offer marine animals some protection from predators with that rigid thick support that enables them to eat (and avoid being eaten), move and reproduce. The diverse forms, sizes, patterns, and colors reveal so much about the creative, imaginative, all-powerful, all-knowing, God we love, know and serve.

Laura Story, composer, and Chris Tomlin, recording artist, put this song on the map -- and its words explain how I felt in God’s vast domain this week:

"From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation revealing Your majesty.
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring,
Every creature unique in the song that it sings.
All exclaiming!
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God!
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God!

Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God!"

What If Blessings Come From Raindrops?

If we could measure our blessings by raindrops that have come to Frisco for the last week and, now, it shows rain every day through Sunday, then we would be overwhelmed with blessings. On Monday, I returned home from Austin in unceasing, torrential rain most all the way in which driving was extremely intense. My plan for a 4-hour trip was dashed because of the necessary slower driving. Somehow, rain doesn't seem to be a blessing during that time. But I’ve found out, and you probably have, too, that many times in life, blessings do come from raindrops.

Laura Story wrote a song entitled “What If Blessings Come From Raindrops?” based on the incredible blessings she had as a Grammy award-winning songwriter and recording artist. The faith Laura sang about was put to the test when her husband was on breathing machines after brain tumor surgery. He also had significant post-operative vision and memory loss. She said, "I spent my whole life singing, 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,' but until Jesus took me through something where my only option was to trust Him, I didn't really know that sweetness. It's hard to understand why God would allow us to go through this, but I know He works all things together for good. When He leads us through valleys, we get to trust Him and draw closer to Him all the more. Though I've doubted, His grasp has never released, never slipped. He's remained completely faithful to me. He has proven that He really is my foundation and my hope."

She went on: "I'd like to tell those going through tough times, 'God will fix your situation', but He just may not fix it. Scripture doesn't promise we'll understand everything while we're on this side of heaven, but it does tell us the broken things in this life will find their greater purpose in His redemption story. God promises there is a purpose for the pain we're going through. He promises He's doing something greater when we don't understand it.

I can vouch for what Laura said. I had to give reasons for the hope and peace that I had during my husband's illness and his graduation to heaven. People asked me, "How can you have so much joy?" Like Laura, I said, "My joy is found in Jesus. It's not found in my circumstances. I can't guarantee things will get better. But I can guarantee I'm going to get better. Life isn't all good, but God promises He will work it ALL together FOR GOOD for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28).

I urge you to listen to this beautiful song, written and sung by Laura. Perhaps it's a "rainy" season in your world today. This song may give you the encouragement you need to realize that though it might be raining, God's plans include the SUN shining again and you will come back stronger, wiser, and more joy-filled if you let Him fill you up with His goodness and mercy. What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ

What if Blessings Come From Raindrops?

Day 306 of Photo Inspirations -- What If Blessings Come From Raindrops?
I loved hearing Laura Story's story.  There’s no denying some of the blessings in her life. She wrote the No. 1 worship hit “Indescribable” recorded by Chris Tomlin, married a handsome athlete the next year, and began working in music and women’s ministry at the 4,000-member Perimeter Church in Atlanta. Her national debut won a Dove Award for Inspirational album and earned Laura two consecutive nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year—all blessings, indeed.

But amid that success, a brain tumor hospitalized her husband that he continues to battle today. The faith Laura sang about was put through the unexpected fires of fear as her husband had to be on breathing machines and he had significant post-operative vision and memory loss. She said, "I spent my whole life singing,  'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,' but until Jesus took me through something where my only option was to trust Him, I didn't really know that sweetness.  It's hard to understand why God would allow us to go through this, but I know He works all things together for good.  Though He leads us through valleys, that's when we get to trust Him and draw closer to Him all the more. Though I've doubted, His grasp has never released, never slipped. He's remained completely faithful to me. He has proven that He really is my foundation and my hope."

She went on to say, "I'd like to tell those of you who are in really tough times.... "God will fix your situation.  But, He just may not fix it.   Scripture doesn't promise we'll understand everything while we're on this side of heaven, but it does tell us the broken things in this life will find their greater purpose in His story of redemption.  God promises there is purpose for the pain we're going through.  He promises He's doing something greater when we don't understand it.  1 Peter 3:15 says "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

I know what's she's saying. I've had to give reasons for the hope and peace I have.   During my husband's illness and his graduation to heaven, people would ask me,  "How can you have so much joy?"  And, like Laura, I'd say "My joy is found in Jesus.  It's not found in my circumstances.  I can't guarantee things will get better.  But I can guarantee I'M going to get better.  Life isn't all good....but God promises He will work it ALL together FOR GOOD for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28).

I urge you to listen to this beautiful song, written and sung by Laura.   Perhaps it's a "rainy" season in your world today -- this song just may give you the encouragement you need to realize that though it might be raining, God's plans  include the SUN shining again and you will COME BACK stronger, wiser, and more joy-filled, if you let Him fill you up with His goodness and mercy.  What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ