Thank you Lord for Trials
Thank you Lord for trails
that have brought me to my knees
That I may see your love
and grace more abundantly
I can not know the reason
for such suffering
Or why there must be pain
in this offering
I only know the surrender
that brings about your peace
That covers all this pain
and brings my heart relief
No longer bound by sorrow
in the midst of suffering
I rest in arms that hold me
through all these things
I thank you Lord for for things
I do not comprehend
That I learn tor trust in you
not what I understand
Thank you Lord for sight by faith
of spiritual things
More beautiful than earthly sight
that make my soul sing
Lord, my faith was shaken
in the midst of the storm
Yet my eyes were straining to
see your sweet and holy form
The waves rose up hissing
with lies of the enemy
But you asked me to stand
and trust what I can't see
Take this heart that's broken
and all that I am
Make it more beautiful,
use it as you plan
I will not ask you why
nor question where you lead
Only for your grace
and comfort will I plead
THE JOURNEY
This journey I've been called to has been a winding road
Sometimes I've thought I could no longer bear the load
I've come to see my Savior in all His glory and His grace
when on my knees before him, I fell upon my face.
This earthly vessel's been battered by my circumstance
I've lost my song and joy, lost my heart for dance
I've doubted just as Thomas, who wanted to believe
but found his heart wavered and it was easy to deceive
I've wrestled with the enemy in deep dark nights
Been wounded in the battle lost many of my fights
My heart has been broken, shattered on the ground
My life lain open for all those around
Many times I struggled on this earthly path
to withstand the enemy in all of his wrath
I've stumbled on the slippery slopes of my fleshly pride
and hidden from the truth when I've believed what Satan implied
But in the midst of me - imperfect though I am
Came the cleansing waters that wash as no one can
That brilliant scarlet flood that cleanses every soul
Sets the captive free and makes the broken whole
And in my darkest hour, desperate for peace
I've experienced grace and its sweet release
Surrendered now I travel on this journey long
with salvation as my banner and mercy as my song
In myself I fail, there is no chance of victory
On my own I can not enter Heavens sweet eternity
But surrendered to my Savior - given to his will
My feet are steadied, this anxious heart made still
These things that are so hopeless, suddenly turn bright
When my Savior is there to shine His holy light
So all I give to him, who gave his all for me
Together we'll finish this spiritual journey
"Our God is in control" by Steven Curtis Chapman
CALEB LEVI RIDDLE
How precious was your tiny life
Created by God divine
Handed down as a gift of His
to bless this life of mine
So short the time I had with you
here upon this earth
So sad to say tears of grief
were shed upon your birth
What should have been a joyous thing
met with excited smiles
Seemed a journey in the shadows
that lasted many miles
Your spirit had gone to be with God
before I held you, dear
So instead of smiles and joy
I greeted you with tears
I can not know the reason
your time here was so brief
But take comfort in the knowledge
that you will never know such grief
Your days will long be filled
with angel's songs so sweet
And you'll have a chance before I do
with all the saints to meet
I imagine you will dance
in the inner courts of praise
And sing your songs of joy
with tiny hands raised
You are so loved by all of us
that remain still here
We can not wait to meet you
when we finally get there
For now I say good-bye
for but a brief time
And thank you for the blessing
you are to this life of mine.
SUCH IS THE KINGDOM
For such is the kingdom of God
This precious little one
Who came into this world
and was so quickly gone
How comforting to know Christ
greeted you with love
When so silently you passed
from here to heaven above
Your life here was treasured
and it has left it's mark
On our very lives and
deep within our heart
THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOWS
The tragic beauty of the valley
Is in the songs that fill the air
The broken hallelujahs from
God's children walking there
In the midst of terrible pain,
and in the wake of shattered dreams
On the bank where tears have fallen
into flowing streams
There the children cling
to the hope they know is true
That God is a loving Father
who will carry them through
So up from broken hearts,
poured out of aching souls
Rises a redeeming chant
The Father already knows
He hears his children's cries
has counted every sorrow
Knows their very hearts
and has penned their tomorrows
And though the shadows press
and the enemy stands near
He offers them a shelter
from their devouring fear
He may not ease the suffering
or change the circumstance
But ministers to hearts and souls
causes aching feet to dance
He holds them in his arms
so gently whispers love
Reminds them of redemption
the perfect gift from above
He gently takes their hands
and guides them on the way
Down the path of sorrow
to a brighter day.
