Desperate

Yesterday morning, The Professor gifted me with an extra hour of sleep. Just as I stirred awake, the wails of my 22-month-old son jolted me into the upright position. Pickle loves his Daddy, but there are some mornings when all he wants and needs can be found only in the arms of his mommy.

I didn't need to see my toddler to know that he was furiously pounding both of his small fists against my bedroom door with as much force as he could muster. Not more than a second after I opened the door, Pickle collapsed his red, wet and plump cheeks against my chest and quickly sucked air back into his exhausted lungs.

He was neither injured nor in danger. A nutritious breakfast filled his belly, and his diaper was dry...yet still he ached to be in my arms. Yesterday morning, my son was desperate for me.

As I cradled and kissed the little boy whose arms clung around my neck, I silently asked my Heavenly Father this rhetorical question.

"This is what you want from me, isn't it?"

The answer...affirmative. God wants His children to continually seek Him with fervent passion...to yearn for what only He can offer...not because He needs this from us, but because He desires for us to have the very best.

Too often I allow the circumstances of daily life to shift my focus from Jesus. Too often I take His presence in my heart for granted. Today, I am once again desperate for Him. Today, I pray that I never stop craving for that which is found only in Him.

How lovely is your dwelling place,O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. Psalm 84:1-2



For more, Then Sings My Soul Saturday, Please visit Amy at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders.

Strong Woman

I’ve long been a fan of what I like to call, “Strong Woman Songs (SWS).” SWS are sung by women and depict the emotional strength of women in a “dig your nails in the grit and pull yourself up off the ground” sort of way. Gloria Gaynor’s I will Survive, as well as Bye-Bye from Jo Dee Messina, Someday, by Mariah Carey, and (cough) I saw the Sign, by Ace of Base, all inspired me to throw away the Kleenex and put on my dancing shoes after myriad break ups.

It was a lifetime ago, but still I remember. And I still cannot resist the need to shake my hips and hoist that hair brush up to my lips when songs of that nature come on the radio. I call it girl power.

As much as I do love that genre of songs, I’ve realized over time that real strength does not come from any ounce of determination or will that I can muster. Nor does it come in a pair of high heels or a shade of red lipstick. My real strength comes when I admit my weaknesses and latch onto Jesus, enabling him to carry me through this life and into the next. My real strength is not mine at all…it is His.

This song from Natalie Grant, I Will Not Be Moved is one of my new favorites. It’s sung in that “Strong Woman” style, but the real hero is Jesus. For more Then Sings My Soul Saturday, visit Amy at Sings, Miracle and Wonders.

-TSMSS - Where There is Faith

This weekend, my heart has been hurting for another blogger, Kristy. I've never met her and since she lives in Australia, I most likely never will. She is a stranger, yet, because of Jesus, she is my sister. About four months ago, Kristy, lost her husband in a freak boating accident. She's been sharing her hurt, anger, frustration, doubts, and fears through her beautiful blog. Please keep her in your prayers. Losing a spouse would be positively devastating at any stage of a marriage, but Kristy and Steve were still newlyweds.

As I was praying for Kristy this week and others who are so deeply hurting, I was reminded of this older song by 4Him. Its message is beautiful and timeless...Where there is faith, there is a voice calling "keep walking, you're not alone in this world.."

For More Then Sings My Soul Saturday, please visit Amy at Signs, Miracle and Wonders.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - What a Blessed Broken Road

In the post before this one, I wrote about love as a tribute to my wedding anniversary and to the Author of Life and Love. Those thoughts fresh in my mind, I chose one of my all-time favorite love songs, a song that very much reminds me of my journey to my Professor.

I originally heard the Rascall Flatts version of the song several years ago and love that version as well, but today I opted for the Selah version because (I'm going out on a limb here and revealing my quirky side) I not only love Selah, but I like to lip sync while standing in front of my bathroom mirror. And, I feel less silly lip syncing to a female voice.)

Now that I've lost your respect, here is a beautiful song that I dedicate to my Professor. And if you have a few extra minutes, please read my special anniversary post below. For more beautiful music visit Amy.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Doesn't every woman, regardless her age long to feel beautiful? Click here to listen to more uplifting songs.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

I cried the first time I heard this song. In fact, I can even remember where I was when I heard it. I was driving home from a MOPs meeting in Corpus Christi, TX. I had just pulled into the parking lot and Pumpkindoodle and I stayed in the car until the song was over.

Sometimes, we humans get so caught up in appearances that we base more value on how things seem to be in the dark and fog, than what things really are in the light.

Sometimes I get focused on trying to at least look like the perfect mom, wife, and woman, when I should be focusing on who my Jesus really is and how I can be more like Him.

No matter what pain and trials I face on this earth, nothing can compare to the pain and suffering He endured for people who too often live as if His sacrifice was not enough.

He is more than enough and I so want to be more like Him.

Here is Todd Agnew with My Jesus. The video is from The Passion of the Christ.

Click here for more Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

I've been wanting to participate in this beautiful meme for months and it seemed that I just never got around to posting. Yesterday, I immediately connected to this song by Meredith Andrews. It is called "You're Not Alone," and it speaks volumes of truth. I hope the lyrics and music touch your heart as they did mine.



For more Then Sings My Soul Saturday, visit Amy at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders