I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of Heaven and Earth
Psalm 121:1,2
I’m joining in with a group of writers for Five Minute Friday where we’re given a prompt (this week it’s PRAISE) and write for five minutes about it.
The first thing that comes to mind when I see the prompt for this week’s five minute Friday is music. Old hymns that speak of praising our God, and a newer song by a group called Casting Crowns—a song I’ve long loved for years, that has reminded me again and again of truth.
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear your whisper through the rain
I’m with you
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away
I look out of my bedroom window at the mountains across the valley, watch the sun rise, and listen to birds greeting the morning and offering praise in birdsong, and I can’t help but lift my heart in praise to the Creator of the majesty in front of my eyes.
i sit on the ground photographing flowers, capturing images with my macro lens of the wonder of the up-close world. I tend tomato plants that have grown from a spec of a tiny seed to a plant that is far taller than me and is generous with her bounty. I can’t help but praise the Creator of it all.
Then the storm comes—it always comes eventually—and I face a choice.
I can wallow in it, cry out in anguish at the unfairness of it all, or I can choose a better way. Sometimes, for a time, I choose the former; sometimes I even get stuck there for a while. I’m human.
And I’ll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
But in time, my heart can’t help but return to praising God—not for what He does, or what He might do—because if I’m honest these things are not always the things I would choose if the choice were mine—but simply for who He is.
Majesty.
Creator.
Lover of my soul.
Isn’t it amazing how a song can have lyrics that speak to our hearts? I also mentioned this Casting Crowns song in my FMF post today. Yes, my help comes from the Lord. I have to mention that your photo is simply beautiful.
Thank you for stopping by, Debbie, and for your kind words about my photo. This song is a powerful one, isn’t it? Such truth and a reminder of our anchor through every storm.
This is such a beautiful post and speaks to my heart as do the words of the hymn. I love the image of praising Him in the storm, which is where I find myself frequently lately. Thank you.
Ah yes, Martha, you are certainly in the midst of the storm. I’m praying for you right now.
Love this, Linda, and I can so relate.
As terminal illness get more terminal, I see my blessings more clearly.
And I’m happy, and not in the least dismayed.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2018/10/your-dying-spouse-527-satisfied-with.html
You are, indeed “praising Him in the storm”, Andrew. I see it every time I stop by your blog. Saying a prayer for you right now.
I am always uplifted by the poetry and imagery in your blogs—this is a beautiful way to begin my week!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Diane. And welcome back to blogland!