Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for him. Psalm 98:1
Today, I experienced one of the greatest joys a mom, and grandmother, can experience.
I rarely get to church anymore. It is just too hard and there is so much pain afterward. Today, I forced myself. I was going to be there no matter what. I sat and watched my oldest son and his wife have their month-old babe dedicated to God, as they promised to raise him to love and know the Lord to the best of their ability.
I had tears in my eyes. Not only for the dedication of my grandson, but for the grace and mercy that God has shown me. Twenty years ago, if you had told me that one day my rebellious son would be promising God he would raise his own son to show him the way to God, I would not have believed you.
Today, I saw the end result of the way God can work. I thought about the illnesses and challenges that keep me from church so many Sundays. I thought about the way God has used them to change me, soften me, encourage me. I realize now it was truly the only way these things could have happened.
Yes, we have faced, and still face, challenge after challenge. But the joy God can bring! Holding that new life in my arms as I sat in my wheel chair, I could do nothing but praise God.
When the pastor spoke of how we are refined by fire as God works in our lives, I nodded in agreement.
As difficult as it may be to believe, it's been worth it. To see my son holding his own son, and giving this young life back to God - well, words can't describe the feelings that rose up in me.
Cancer? Yes, we are facing it. The murder of an adult child. Yes, we continue to live with it. Illness after illness. Yep, there are still there. A scary future? I guess it could seem so.
But for today .... I sing.
Another new favorite - today: Chris Tomlin
Yes .... today I sing.