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Day One: The Story Behind the Song
Scriptures: Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 37:4, Psalm 116:5, Jeremiah 32:27
What do you do when your dreams and desires have yet to be fulfilled? What do you do when time moves way too fast and yet seems too slow all at the same time? What do you do when the world around you seems to be falling apart? This is where I was. These were the questions I had.
Early in 2020, I had decided that I was going to be unapologetic about pursuing my dreams: marriage, motherhood and music ministry. I felt very strongly that God had placed these desires in my heart and I knew they would come to pass as I delighted myself in Him (Psalm 37:4).
Then, my family was devastated by the passing of my Granddaddy; my last grandparent. As much as I knew he was whole and healed in Heaven, I was shattered because my children wouldn't experience the relationship I had with him. I plunged into a deep depression and did not, at the time, see a reason to continue living. With the help of my family, particularly my sister, a mental health counselor, I survived the grief. Then, six weeks later, the coronavirus hit and turned everyone's world upside down.
At first, I thought the isolation would finish the job that the grief didn’t. I didn't really know what to pray anymore, but, one day, the Holy Spirit gave me some much needed perspective. I wouldn’t have wanted Granddaddy to deal with a pandemic. And, the children I hadn't yet had were being spared from the confusion and anxiety of the pandemic, political uproar and social unrest.
That clarity lasted a while and I felt like I was thriving. Then, my family and I got COVID and had to be isolated from each other during the holidays. This was followed by the sudden deaths of three people with whom I was very close. It all happened so fast and I was fighting to find hope and joy. I knew God could, but struggled to believe God would breathe life into my dreams and desires amid disease, death, devastation, disaster and discord.
Then, one day while I was working on a songwriting exercise, God pointed me to His Truth…"those who trust in the Lord will find new strength" (Isaiah 40:31). And, this is not just any strength, this is strength to walk, to run, to endure, strength to soar! No matter how bad the circumstances in the world seemed, no matter how hard the situations in my life seemed, none of it changed the fact that God is good (Psalm 116:5) and nothing is too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:27)!
Leaning on the truth of God's Word helped me have hope again, restored the joy of my salvation and led me to write this song, Strength To Soar.
Lord, in our darkest hours, please help us to wait on and trust in You, knowing that You will revive, refresh and restore us in the Mighty Name of Jesus!
What do you do when your dreams and desires have yet to be fulfilled? What do you do when time moves way too fast and yet seems too slow all at the same time? What do you do when the world around you seems to be falling apart? This is where I was. These were the questions I had.
Early in 2020, I had decided that I was going to be unapologetic about pursuing my dreams: marriage, motherhood and music ministry. I felt very strongly that God had placed these desires in my heart and I knew they would come to pass as I delighted myself in Him (Psalm 37:4).
Then, my family was devastated by the passing of my Granddaddy; my last grandparent. As much as I knew he was whole and healed in Heaven, I was shattered because my children wouldn't experience the relationship I had with him. I plunged into a deep depression and did not, at the time, see a reason to continue living. With the help of my family, particularly my sister, a mental health counselor, I survived the grief. Then, six weeks later, the coronavirus hit and turned everyone's world upside down.
At first, I thought the isolation would finish the job that the grief didn’t. I didn't really know what to pray anymore, but, one day, the Holy Spirit gave me some much needed perspective. I wouldn’t have wanted Granddaddy to deal with a pandemic. And, the children I hadn't yet had were being spared from the confusion and anxiety of the pandemic, political uproar and social unrest.
That clarity lasted a while and I felt like I was thriving. Then, my family and I got COVID and had to be isolated from each other during the holidays. This was followed by the sudden deaths of three people with whom I was very close. It all happened so fast and I was fighting to find hope and joy. I knew God could, but struggled to believe God would breathe life into my dreams and desires amid disease, death, devastation, disaster and discord.
Then, one day while I was working on a songwriting exercise, God pointed me to His Truth…"those who trust in the Lord will find new strength" (Isaiah 40:31). And, this is not just any strength, this is strength to walk, to run, to endure, strength to soar! No matter how bad the circumstances in the world seemed, no matter how hard the situations in my life seemed, none of it changed the fact that God is good (Psalm 116:5) and nothing is too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:27)!
Leaning on the truth of God's Word helped me have hope again, restored the joy of my salvation and led me to write this song, Strength To Soar.
Lord, in our darkest hours, please help us to wait on and trust in You, knowing that You will revive, refresh and restore us in the Mighty Name of Jesus!