So many storms...

There are so many storms going on in the world today…I think when we go through major storms in our own lives, it makes us even more sensitive when we hear of storms happening in other people’s lives. My heart has been breaking for so many lately… friends or friends of friends who have lost their spouses, friends who are walking through really hard times with children, unexpected deaths of teenagers, our Americans killed in Benghazi and Afghanistan, unrest in Syria and Lebanon, the heart breaking season ending injury to Gamecock football player Marcus Lattimore Saturday (Pete loved watching him play for his beloved Gamecocks but even more, he loved hearing about how Marcus lived life for his Savior, Jesus Christ), …and now, whatever will come from the damage done by Hurricane Sandy as it comes ashore tonight…so many storms.

Sunday morning, I woke up hearing Casting Crowns’ song, Praise You in this storm, playing on WMHK. As I listened to the words and just absorbed them for my own life, I also prayed them for those who are going through their own storms. This song has played in my mind all day yesterday and today. What a good reminder to trust and praise Him even in the storms…

“I was sure by now God, You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say, ‘Amen’, and it’s still raining.

As the thunder rolls, I barely hear You whisper through the rain, ‘I’m with You’ and as Your mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.

I’ll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am. Every tear I’ve cried You hold in Your hand, You never left my side and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm.

I remember when I stumbled in the wind, You heard my cry, You raised me up again, my strength is almost gone, how can I carry on if I can’t find You.

I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

I’ll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am. Every tear I’ve cried, You hold in Your hand. You never left my side and though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm.”

At our church later Sunday, I was talking to our dear friend, Adrian Despres, the Gamecocks’ Chaplain and an evangelist with Kingdom Builders  about Marcus. I told him I was praying for him as he ministered to Marcus and his family as well as to the team because I knew their hearts were so saddened by this loss for Marcus and for the team. Adrian said he played offense on his college football team so he was always thinking offensively about life situations.  He believes in using any situation as a reminder to "score" and do all we can to fight Satan and what he is throwing at us in this world. He said when Pete died, he used that as an encouragement to go out and share Christ even more with others because Pete's unexpected death reminded him how short life is and that there are so many who don’t know Christ like Pete did. Not long after Pete went home, they were eating out and he was able to share Christ with a guy who waited on their table…and he accepted Christ! Adrian said he would encourage Marcus and the team to use this as an example to show how Christ can work through hard times...Good words for stormy times…

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fires of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God.” Isaiah 43:2

                 “You are who You are…no matter where I am…

         though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm.”