Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Then I Shall Live

I grew up in a conservative Baptist home filled with love and faith.  I am so thankful for the values my parents instilled in me.  It is because of these values and faith, along with the love from family and friends, that I am able to get through what is the most difficult time in my life.  


Many of my memories also include a lot of gospel music especially from the Gaither Family musical group.  Yes, they sing old time gospel and you may or may not like this type of music.  But, for me it has a special place in my heart and the music ministers to me in more ways than one.  The Gaither Family is very special to my Dad's side of the family.  I can remember my grandparents watching their videos and listening to their music even in their passing.  They ministered to my Grandma, who had Alzheimers.  She didn't know who any of us were, but she still clung to those Gaither videos.  To this day, we find ourselves sitting together as a family:  my family, my Aunt, my Uncle, my cousins, my kids, watching those videos or listening to the music as we are spending time together up North. 


Today, I received a great e-mail from my Aunt Sandy.  She sent me one of their songs and highlighted some of her favorite lyrics.  I quickly downloaded it from iTunes and listened to it.  It moved me to tears.  It has become my anthem...my promise that if I shall live through this..this is how I will live my life.  For the things said in this song are what I am learning about...what is most important in life.  And I especially love the title of the song "I Then Shall Live."


This title has confirmed many verses that I have been reading lately in Psalms.  Verses that God has given me when I am down or desperate.  And there has been a common phrase in each of these verses...PRESERVE MY LIFE.  So this morning, I decided to research this phrase and I found it to be common throughout the book of Psalm.  Because of the verses that God has given to me, I am going to choose to believe he is going to PRESERVE MY LIFE and heal me.  I would like to share some of these verses with you.


First, consider the definition of Preserve.  It is as follows: To cover or shield from danger or injury; to defend; to guard; to preserve safety; as a father protects his children.


Psalms 41:1-4  "Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.  The Lord will protect him and PRESERVE HIS LIFE; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.  The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.  I said, "O Lord, have mercy on me, heal me, for I have sinned against you."


Psalms 143:7-11 "Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails.  Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for you I life up my soul.  Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you.  Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.  For your name's sake, O Lord, PRESERVE MY LIFE; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble."


Psalms 138:7-8   'Though I walk in the midst of trouble, your PRESERVE MY LIFE; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.  The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands."


I have put a video of the Gaither's singing the song my Aunt sent me on this blog.  The words are described below.  It is a great song.  Please take the time to watch to it...even if gospel isn't your thing.  


I am feeling a little better today.  Yesterday, I took the time to grieve and to express my anger about all of the pain and suffering I have been experience and will experience through radiation.  I am very scared about what is to come, but I am trying to cling to the promise God has given me in the verses above and in this song.  Thank you for sharing this journey with me.



I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven; 

I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid. 

I know my name is clear before my Father; 

I am His child, and I am not afraid

So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother, 

The law of love I gladly will obey. 

 

I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion

I’ve been so loved that I’ll risk loving too

I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges

I’ll dare to see another’s point of view. 

And when relationship demand commitment, 

Then I’ll be there to care and follow through

 

Your kingdom come around and through and in me; 

Your power and glory, let them shine through me; 

Your Hallowed name, O may I bear with honor, 

And may You living Kingdom come in me. 

The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor, 

And may You feed a hungry world through me. 

Amen. Amen. Amen. 

 




5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sue,
I'm so glad you were able to cry out to God in Tuesday's posting. As you cry out to Him and empty yourself of all that, He is able to pour back into you what you need. Know that as your heart breaks, ours breaks with you. I was reading in a book last night where it referenced Habakkuk 3:17-19 talking about even if the fig tree does not blossom or the field produces no fruit or food, we should exult in the Lord. Understanding that our praise cannot be based on our feelings but on who God is. Deciding that whatever happens, we will praise Him. Today, you are doing that! You are praising Him through your storm! Stay strong my friend! Sending you lots of hugs & love!!
Michelle A.

Anonymous said...

Sue,
We have never met but your father and I grew up together in Racine and we graduated together along with your mom from Taylor in 1964. Your grandparents were long time frineds of my parents and I remember how helpful they were to my family on many occassions. I want you to know that my wife and I are praying for your recovery and that God wil give you a special sense of His strength, kindness and mercy during these difficult days. For sure the sun wil come up tomorrow for you and your family. Ron Scott ( ronbevscott@aol.com)

Anonymous said...

That's a powerful song, and I am thankful it was able to minister to you and encourage you. What a message it has to me as well. A life like that described in the song is one that will truly make a difference. Andy loves gospel music, so I have tried to accustom myself to it:). Some songs are kind of fun, and I enjoyed the video you posted:). Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better after working through the emotions you've been experiencing. I pray that you are able to enjoy energy and renewed hope with Jason and the girls this weekend. Give them a hug for me. I miss you guys very much!
Love and prayers,
Dani

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue,
Thanks for sharing that video. We grew up in similar homes. :) I loved it! My heart breaks for what you are going through and simply can not imagine the day to day of your journey. I am inspired and blessed by your words. I know you are facing many Giants - the Giant of Cancer, the Giant of Fear, the Giant of Pain, and the Giant of Hopelessness. As you walk through the valley of Giants, know that they have no power over you unless you allow it. God is bigger than any Giant and He is walking with you. Don't focus on the Giants but focus on God. Take one step at a time through the valley and never take your eyes off of God. Don't listen to what the Giants say to you but rather listen to what God is whispering in your ear through his word. He has many beautiful promises as you have quoted from Psalms. I pray that God will continue to help you persevere and increase your spiritual strength. Press into God through it all and no matter how intense it may get know that NOTHING can separate you from the love and power of God and He will carry you through.
Love,
Nikki

Anonymous said...

Hey Sue,
I just finished my BSF this past Wednesday. We were doing the life of Moses, studying Exodus , Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy since last September. I want to share a couple verses in Numbers with you today:

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

It was a blessing that the Lord asked Moses to tell Aaron and his sons, who were the Levites and the priests, to bless the Israelites with during the offerings and worship. I find that it is so nice to hear the blessing, especially when we are anxious about things/events/people in our lives. How good it is to know that God would actually turn His face toward us and want to bless us with His peace for He loves and cares about us so much.

What you will be going through will be tough. But at the mean time, I realize, you are not wasting your pain. You are using your pain to glorify God, to show that how without Him "preserving" us, we would be lost, physically and spiritually.

This summer, I don't have any more BSF to sustain me spiritually but I intend to go through Psalms and look for God's attributes. I hope we both learn much from Psalms this summer.

Much prayers,
Phyllis