Wednesday, July 2, 2014

How Can I Say Thanks {To God Be the Glory}

My Tribute Primitive Girl Art Journal Page

(click image to enlarge)

{Stillman & Birn Beta Journal, hardbound, pages collaged with vintage papers, little girl’s face has vintage Simplicity pattern paper for dimension, all painted with acrylics.}

Two years ago my husband’s mother passed away. The next month, my mother received a terminal cancer diagnosis. A year later, our son’s family (we are very close to them) moved a 32-hour drive away. A month after they left, my mother passed away, a little over a year ago now. Both our mothers were strong women of faith, and they are absolutely rejoicing in heaven right now.

Although I usually consider myself a person of strong faith, I have had some very sad days in the last couple of years. I realize that others might like to tell me of their experiences, to make me realize that I really have no reason to feel sad, in comparison. And I would agree.

Don’t misunderstand, there have been many joyous occasions and causes for wonderful celebrations during the last two years. I have documented those, and I truly praise God for those times.

Still, now and then, like today, I am sad. I am sad, not because I don’t know Who holds the future; not because I don’t have faith that all will “work together for good;” not because I am not assured of my eternity in heaven; not because I don’t have a strong supportive and loving family. I am sad because I miss those who are not here. I am sad because everything is “not right with the world.” I am sad because of family situations that fill me with sorrow. I am sad because of the brevity of life and the passing of time.

During those days when I feel down, God almost always brings to mind a praise song, usually one that I heard recently. Last Sunday, we sang a song that I had not heard or sung for many years. It was what I needed to hear, and to sing, that day. And today.

 

How can I say thanks,
for the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved, yet you give
To prove your love for me.


The voices of a million angels
Could not express my gratitude
All that I am, and ever hope to be
I owe it all to thee.


To God be the glory,
to God be the glory
To God be the glory
for the things He has done.
With his blood he has saved me,
With his power he has raised me.
To God be the glory,
for the things he has done.


Just let me live my life,
Let it be pleasing Lord to thee.
And if I gain any praise,
let it go to Calvary.

With his blood he has saved me,
With his power he has raised me.
To God be the glory
for the things he has done.

~”My Tribute,” Andrae Crouch

Because I am human and still live on this earth, there will be sad days. But God can take care of me in my sadness as well as in my joy. For that I am thankful.

My little grateful primitive girl is reminding me that, even on sad days, God is in control. He does make everything okay. With His blood He has saved me. With His power He has raised me. To God be the glory. For the things He has done.

And for the things He will do.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
I Peter 5:7

2 comments:

Angelique said...

I lost my mum with terminal cancer 5 years ago. This weekend I found some cards with quotes that were written in my mums handwriting. I was so pleased to find them between all the stuff that my dad send to me after her passing. She also loved creating and had lots of crafty stuff. On one of the cards it said: when you feel sad it is because you remember the happy times we had together in the past. Sadness is a feeling we have in the present when we experience the feeling of a loss in the present, as we remember the happy times we once had with our loved ones. But this memory is now always part of us. We can carry it with us were ever we go. I was so glad to find this message from my mum this weekend, reminding me whenever I am sad because she is gone, it is because of all the goods times we have spend together. I felt so blessed finding this in her writing at a moment where I was setting up and organising our new craftroom, where I will be creating many happy times with my own daughter and loved ones now.

Barbara said...

Thank you, Angelique. Your experiences are helpful to me, and I so glad you shared here.