Tis So Sweet...

1. There is a song that I cannot sing without tearing up.
2. I hear the refrain and I think, oh no, here we go...
3. Sure enough, my eyes fill with tears and I struggle to sing.
4. I want to sing, I want to fill my lungs with the melody of this beautiful anthem to my Savior's faithfulness.
5. But it takes a minute to pull myself together...
6. 
   
7. ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
   Just to take Him at His Word;
   Just to rest upon His promise,
   And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
   • Refrain:
     Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
     How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
     Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
     Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
8. Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
   Just to trust His cleansing blood;
   And in simple faith to plunge me
   ’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
9. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
   Just from sin and self to cease;
   Just from Jesus simply taking
   Life and rest, and joy and peace.
10. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
    Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
    And I know that Thou art with me,
    Wilt be with me to the end.

Why does this song affect me so?
Because it has been played out in my life over and over.
It is so sweet to trust in Jesus.
I can take Him at His word.
I can rest upon His promise.
I do know "Thus saith the Lord!"
And I know that He is with me.
He will be with me to the end.

As a mom, this song is even more precious as I apply it to my children.
All three of my kids are embarking on big, awesome, life-altering endeavors.
My son has started Physician's Assistant school...
My daughter and her husband have started thru hiking the Pacific Crest Trail...
My youngest daughter is finishing college next week with the desire to make ministry her life.
All four of them belong to Jesus...and I can trust Him.
And now I'm tearing up because it is so sweet to trust in Jesus.
Oh for grace to trust Him more!

Foul Weather Devotion

         

           I was dressed in my team jersey, a plate of essential Super bowl food on my lap and a heart filled with faith that my team would win.  With each touchdown, interception and blocked pass, I jumped up and cheered for the athletes who would bring home the trophy!  That day, I looked like any devoted fan.  I had all of the necessary accouterments and passion to spare.  The truth is, I had only watched three games that season…the games leading up to the Superbowl.  The truth is, I had purchased a shirt the day before the game.  The truth is, I am a fair-weather fan.  Only those closest to me knew my secret.  To everyone else, I appeared to be die-hard.  It was only when the stakes were high that my interest was piqued.

            I've done the same thing in my relationship with God.  Life is busy.  Sometimes I coast along, only occasionally opening my bible.  I read His Word, distracted by sounds and activity around me.  After a busy day, I crawl into bed and begin to pray--falling asleep before I’ve said “amen”.  

            Then a crisis occurs.  It doesn’t have to be a big crisis…anything that is surprising or inconvenient.  I fall on my knees in prayer.  I search my bible for answers.  The crisis passes.  God is good.   The cycle begins again and I’m back to being a fair or, more accurately, foul weather pursuer of God.  

            The difference between faith and football is that I’m not fooling God.  He knows my heart.  He knows that my devotion is sometimes dependent on circumstances.  His Word says that when we draw near to Him we will receive grace and mercy in our time of need.  Drawing near is a daily commitment of acknowledging His presence in my life…talking to Him moment by moment and reading His Word.  It’s not for Him that I do those things, it’s His gift to me. It’s a gift that I receive over and over, day after day.  I have free and total access to the Almighty.  In a world where important people are protected and shielded from the “commoners”, it is amazing that the God of the universe will meet with me personally, whenever I choose…He waits for me…interested…loving me even when I’m distracted from Him.

            I'm thankful that He is patient as I grow day by day in my walk with Him.  

1 John 2:28 – And now, little children, abide in him so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.