held

The first time I ever heard this song - held - by Natalie Grant, it touched something inside of me. Knowing that God doesn't promise that unthinkable things won't happen, but He will hold us when they do. My cousin Bruce posted this video on his blog awhile back, and I commented to him that it was one of my favorites. I had no idea then how much this song would come to mean to me. God has a way of preparing our hearts long before we are aware. He knows what we need before we do, without our asking. He guides our paths in what might seem to be everyday occurances, but if we look back, we can see His hand. A week ago, we went to the hospital when baby Burris was born. It isn't my habit to be at the hospital when a friend has a baby. I'm more inclined to give privacy. But, we were needed to take luggage to our friends. In that one simple act, God gave me the opportunity to be touched by a very special baby. He gave me the opportunity to meet this baby and have him become very real to me so that I can be a better comforter to my friend. Instead of the grandparents leaving the hospital to get the luggage, by using us for the errand He gave them the gift of valuable time with their new grandson. God used us to be a blessing, and that is a very humbling, awesome thought. Awesome isn't a normal word in my vobulary, but when you see something in your life that was completely directed by God, then awesome is the only word that might even begin to describe it. It helps to know that even in a tragedy, God's hand is there offering blessings. Blessing us, and holding us.



Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved
from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live? It's unfair.

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred know our sorrow.
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley
and tomorrow.

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

HUGS Joy. Your friend is lucky to have you. I believe when we cry with our friends, we carry some of their pain and somehow, some way it lifts the burden (even if just the tiniest bit) for them. All of you will continue to be in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

BTW - I want you to know how deeply moving and beautiful what you wrote is. God is Awesome. Thank you for touching my heart. Even in pain, you are giving Glory to Him. You are a blessing Joy.

momto5minnies said...

((((HUGS)))))

Beautiful post {j}

Janet said...

Beautifully written...I have heard that song plenty of times, but I had never listened to the words carefully. I am truly sorry to hear about your friends' loss. They are in my prayers.

june cleaver said...

We lost my brother when he was 8. I was 5. I still cry. I know he is in heaven at the feet of our Lord in prayer for my family. He was, and always will be our blessing.

Beautiful post-your friends are in my prayers.

thesixburghmom said...

Just beautiful, {J}. What a wonderful, touching post.

southernjoy said...

Thank you all very much. Your prayers are so appreciated.

CRIS... I can't imagine. I'm so sorry to hear about your brother.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post J

My heart breaks for your friends.

Allyson