I find it interesting that the weeks that everyone in Sunday School who has already heard the message in church for the week, either Saturday night or 1st Service on Sunday, rave about it and say how wonderful it was, are the weeks that I'm not really all that taken by it, yet the weeks that no one says anything, are the weeks I am swept away.
This morning worship was incredible! I loved it! It was way more upbeat than normal, and the worship team was comprised of some of my favorite people! Any time you put Josh and Jamie on the stage together with microphones, I will melt at the sound! They harmonize and fit together well, and they are both very talented at playing guitar/piano (respectively). But it was more than that. The set of songs hit me too. Some of my favorites, both old and more contemporary.
But then the last song came. "Blessed Be Your Name." I love this song so much. But I have a hard time singing "you give and take away." Not so much anymore because I am hurt by it like I was a few years ago, but because it is true. He gives and He takes away, and we will never know when or what. I think of Mark every time I hear the song. Mom & I were just remembering him last weekend with Toni. You don't realize how much you miss someone until they are taken away. Forever on Earth, until I see him again in Heaven. Mark was one of my closest friends as a child. I have so many memories. My favorite is one of him, when we were in mid-elementary school, chasing me around his house throwing pillows and all sorts of stuff at me. Why is that my favorite? I have no idea. At the time I was so upset with him for doing that! Now I look back and miss him greatly.
It reminds me that nothing on Earth is guaranteed to be here tomorrow. My life changed drastically in one night, in less than 2 hours, really. I moved home the next week and started life over. I struggled at first because I did not understand, but I understand now. God gave, and then he took away. That's all there is to it. He gave those friendships, and took some away. But the truth in it is, though I felt like He did at first, He never took my heart for my ministry. That "what" is the truth. The "why" doesn't matter. Pastor Chris was absolutely right. The message hit home so much today. So so much.
