9 March, 2013

Stronger
By Mandisa

Here's the link to listen to the song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emgv-VRtMEU


"Stronger"

Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

[Chorus:]
When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you Stronger

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

[Chorus]

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

ROBYN:
I've loved this song since the first time I heard it on the radio a year ago but didn't pay attention enough to hear and memorize all the words, the message. It played during a recent episode of 20/20 that showed Good Morning America's Robin Roberts' story; she's been fighting cancer since last year, fighting it for the second time. Her story is a humbling and hopeful one. I couldn't stop the tears from falling as I watched her story unfold before my eyes and pull at the strings of my heart.  Watching her I thought of my cousin Lisa, who has also been fighting cancer since last year.  I thought of some more of my friends who are going to battle every day against their own physical challenges. I thought of my own situation. And the most beautiful thing happened: love encompassed me as I listened to this hope-inspiring song. It spoke to my heart directly in a way it hadn't in the entire year I had heard it, sometimes several times a week. The Spirit is funny that way. Something can pierce your heart, affect you in an entirely new way out of the blue one day, whether you were looking for it or not. That day, I was looking for it but I did not find it; it found me. The Lord knew I was hurting, that I was struggling, and that I was searching for some kind of communication and strength from Him. His love came straight to me that Friday night as this song rang in my ears.
He loves me. He loves you. He knows what you are going through. He knows it hurts. He knows you're scared. He's right there, so take His hand. He started this work in your life and He'll be faithful to complete it, if only you'll believe it. The pain isn't going to last forever, in time it's going to get better. He knows this is going to make you stronger.



9 January, 2013 


Beautiful Heartbreak
By Hilary Weeks 

I had it all mapped out in front of me,

Knew just where I wanted to go;
But life decided to change my plans,
And I found a mountain in the middle of my road.

I knew there was no way over it,
So I searched for a way around;
Brokenhearted I started climbin',
And at the top I found...

Every fear, every doubt,
All the pain I went through;
Was the price that I paid to see this view;
And now that I'm here I would never trade...

The grace that I feel,
And the faith that I find;
Through the bitter-sweet tears,
And the sleepless nights;
I used to pray he'd take it all away,
But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.

I never dreamed my heart would make it,
I thought about turning around;
But heaven has shown me miracles,
I never would have seen from the ground.

Now I take the rain with the sunshine,
Cause there's one thing that I know;
He picks up the pieces,
Along each broken road.

Every fear, every doubt,
All the pain I went through;
Was the price that I paid to see this view;
And now that I'm here I would never trade...

The grace that I feel,
And the faith that I find;
Through the bitter-sweet tears,
And the sleepless nights.
I used to pray he'd take it all away,
But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.

I would never trade...

The grace that I feel,
And the faith that I find;
Through the bitter-sweet tears,
And the sleepless nights.

I used to pray he'd take it all away,
But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.


Robyn: 
Here's our first Song of the Week! One of Sarah's and my favorite songs is "Beautiful Heartbreak", by Hilary Weeks. I first heard this song on FM 100 (thank you Soft Sunday Sounds!!!) and bought it off itunes the next day. I love Hilary Weeks, she is an extremely gifted musician and an incredibleperson.  Her passion and love of the gospel can be heard in each and every one of her songs. I heard "Beautiful Heartbreak" during a rough time earlier this year where I became very sick and made a couple of trips to the hospital. My body was freaking out in a way it never had before and I was very frightened.  Both this song and another of Hilary's, "Just Let Me Cry" spoke to my heart and provided me with comfort and solace I needed to get me through that time.  They have helped me get through many rough times since.
This song gave me perspective when everything else could not. The lyrics seemed to have been taken from my own mind: "Every fear, every doubt, all the pain I went through was the price that I paid to see this view. And now that I'm here I would never trade the grace that I feel, and the faith that I find through the bitter-sweet tears and the sleepless nights. I used to pray he'd take it all away, but instead it became a beautiful heartbreak."  I have had so many bitter-sweet tears and sleepless nights to last a lifetime. I know I haven't quite made it to the top of the mountain Weeks sings of in her song, but I know that I'll make it someday. This helps me keep that perspective in my mind and heart.

Sarah: 
At the age of 15, I thought I had my whole life figured out! I knew exactly what I wanted, where I was going, and how I wanted things to happen. Then...in the middle of my journey (called life) my plans did change and I found a mountain in the middle of my road. I am in a completely different spot than I had pictured.
I am not where I thought I would find myself...
I have experienced many things I never imagined...
Life become so much more complicated than I thought i would ever be able to handle...
But...
Because of it, I am a much stronger person. Life has taken me on a journey which has enabled me to witness and be apart of many miracles; those which I wouldn't have experienced if I had continued on with my perfect little plan. I am still on my journey to the top of my mountain, just as Robyn mentioned, but I have learned so much along the way. I know I can look forward to the beautiful view at the top and the journey is totally worth it!

Don't give up! Keep on climbing and I know you too will be strengthened along the way!