Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art…

I feel like these words have been resounding in my heart and the tears have been continuously falling since the new year began. This year has opened with miracles, an abundance of His presence, and constant reminders that He is near and He sees me – all of which are FAR CRIES from the words you would have heard me saying as 2016 came to a close. Last year I choose to say He is a Good Father because I know that is truth. I choose to continue taking steps toward Him because I knew that attitude in action was necessary in keeping my heart aligned with Him even in the midst of His seeming silence through my desert season. 2016 was brutal – I will admit it wholeheartedly, but I chose to seek the Lord as I know His Word promises it does not return void and His ear is tuned to those who call His name. I know He cradles the broken-hearted and never once did He abandon the failing and faltering Israelites despite their wails and moans. I love the Old Testament and cling tightly to the unending reminders of the Covenant God we serve despite our unending shortcomings. What a gracious Father to allow us to come to Him with our disappointments and complete lack of understanding – He doesn’t try to explain away the pain – but He simply listens and waits with us in the battle. I’m not sure I’m completely out of the darkness, but I do know that I will continue to sit with Him each day and that through our time together He is breathing air back into my lungs and providing hope to my weary soul. I know that for the first time in a really long time I think I can hear Him whispering over me that He is proud of me for the work I’ve done in the lonely season - that He delights in me and is using me in the midst of this chapter of life I never anticipated - that He sees the tears I’ve wept over these wounds and He is doing a healing work – AND FOR THAT, I sing how great Thou art in resounding praise. I sing with joy – in obedience because my soul needs to sing, and also with deep desire because once again, my soul has found a song.