Music Notes

 "Mom! Mom!" came the urgent call from the mouth my baby sister. "What is it?" she responded. Essie replied "I need you."
 We live in a time where independance is common, a time when the closest we ever come to calling out for help is to call a tow truck when we're stuck in the ditch, or (some would say more humiliating), we can't figure out what's wrong with our computer and need to bring in the local techie....
 It often surprises me how much more little children understand than we do - its okay to cry when we're sad, to give someone a hug for no particular reason, to say "I love you" without strings, to laugh with such utter abandonment over the silliest things, to delight in the little things we take for granted, to live life in every moment.... and to admit so easily "I need you."

 How often are we willing to admit that? To kill our perceived independance with one simple statement... to admit that we are actually dependant on another human being, to admit that we are dependant on God? To allow ourselves to be humbled to realize that we are not complete, not able to survive without God? without eachother? 

 Are we willing to become as a little child?
 

This day.
This month.
This year.

  It amazes me to think of how uniquely God has been working in my life. Its been a year of many changes, some disapointments, much travel, not much blogging (which I will try to change :P ), a couple weddings, both laughter and tears, plenty of reasons to rejoice. And through all these things, I still find the song "Great is thy faithfulness" rings more true than ever before. 
  As we begin this new year, many changes lie ahead. Many struggles, fears, joys, sorrows. All Unknown to us... but I know the One Who does, so it is Jesus to whom I turn with heart full and wonder widening my eyes... and, with the puritans of old, pray: 

"O Love beyond Compare,
Thou art good when Thou givest,
     when Thou takest away,
  when the sun shines upon me,
 when the night gathers over me.
Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,
               and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou dost love me still,
    in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.
Thy goodness has been with me during another year,
        leading me through a twisting wilderness,
               in retreat helping me advance,
        when beaten back making sure headway.
Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;
                 I hoist sail and draw up anchor,
with Thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless Thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If Thou has appointed storms of tribulation,
           Thou wilt be with me in them;
If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation,
                                   I shall not drown;
If I am to die,
                     I shall see Thy face sooner;
If a painful end is to be my lot,
          grant me grace that my faith fail not;
If I am to be cast aside from the service I love,
                  I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify Thyself in me whether in comfort or trial,
    as a chosen vessel meet always for Thy use.

(Taken from: "The Valley of Vision")