"This illness is to fatigue,
what a match is to a nuclear bomb.
It's an absurd mischaracterization!"
~Laura Hillenbrand

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March 13, 2008

Explanation


Well, it took me a couple days longer than I'd hoped, but here I am, to explain to you why I posted the lyrics and that song - lest any of you think I am deep in despair.

I am not. Though this song is a perfect representation of the journey I am on.

If you read/listen to only the first verse, all I have in my life is sadness and despair.

If you read/listen to the second verse - there is some hope, because at least I am turning to God. However, it's not as easy as it once was, to turn my heart to him - to worship him - and it's easy to start questioning whether he really is as near as he once was.

But if you listen to the last verse - you see that I have, not only turned to God in my darkness and loneliness and tiredness - I have found Him standing there beside me. He holds me up. He cries with me.

And most important of all - he accepts the offerings I give him in my weakness.

It's a beautiful song that balances the truth of pain, suffering and aloneness, with the joy of relationship to Him - Jesus, my Savior!

I love those chorus': This is all that I can give - yeah that's my everything" I know I don't "do" as much for God as I used to. But even the weakest moment of turning my heart and mind to him, doing the smallest thing as an act of love to him is giving him my everything and that pleases him.

I please God! In the midst of my weakness I can still give him everything. My "everything" plate may not look as full as it used to, but I please him as much as I ever did - and that is a comfort and joy I cling to.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" James 4:8



PS: This painting of tulips was one of my gifts to God. They're called "March Tulips" because when I was growing up, tulips always bloomed right on my birthday (which is this Sunday!)


PSS: Please leave me some messages! I am kinda lonely and would love to hear what all my of you are up to! (HUGS)

4 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to you, Melanie!!! :)
    I so appreciate your friendship!!

    Wishing you a day filled with joy & celebration!!!

    Love,
    Patti
    pholkart*blessings

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  2. Hi Melanie!

    Just checking in as I wind down from work. Happy Birthday!!!
    (Belated)

    The tulips are gorgeous! We have daffodils on the hill. I'm so thankful it is looking like spring.

    Will we see you this Easter? Hope so.

    With love,
    April : )

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  3. Hello Melanie,

    We have never met, but I know your husband and son Chris. My husband and I have gone to Gateway for a couple of years now. I ran into your art because I also sell on Ebay. I was thrilled when I realized it was you!

    I had intended to leave you a note and just have not had the time to do so until this morning. Maybe this is why!

    This song made me cry this morning.

    I know that I do not have the challenges that you do, for sure, but it captured what I felt as I face a day that I feel to burned out to face.

    All this to say, that I am not in dispair either, but just have alot of challenges that I would rather just walk away from.

    Lastnight, in a quiet way, I felt like the Lord said that I am a CHILD (and therefore BELONG TO) A FAITHFUL GOD! And you too!!

    God bless you Melanie!!

    Annette S.

    http://confoundedconcoctions.blogspot.com/

    PS: My hubby and I are always so blessed by Bill's messages and outlook!

    I have something I would like to contribute to your daughter, can I do that through paypal?

    ReplyDelete
  4. What lovely thoughts and a beautiful picture also - you're clearly a gifted artist.

    ReplyDelete