Glorious Ruins

Last night was worship practice and we are doing a new song on Sunday. It's called Glorious Ruins by Hillsong Live. I've heard this song plenty of times because I'm obsessed with this album anyways, but last night I really focused on the lyrics and was just in awe of what they had to say.

When the mountains fall
And the tempest roars You are with me
When creation folds
Still my soul will soar on Your mercy

I'll walk through the fire
With my head lifted high
And my spirit revived in Your story
And I'll look to the cross
As my failure is lost
in the light of your glorious grace

Let the ruins come to life
In the beauty of Your Name
Rising up from the ashes
God forever You reign

And my soul will find refuge
In the shadow of Your wings
I will love You forever
And forever I'll sing

When the world caves in
Still my hope will cling to Your promise
Where my courage ends
Let my heart find strength in Your presence

Wow. What a testament to what God can do with our struggles and in times of trouble. He has brought me from ruins to life. He revives us. He gives us strength to carry on through those difficult times and He reminds us that the cross is enough to make up for all of our failures. If that doesn't make you want to sing, then I don't know what will.

Isaiah 61:7
Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.

I'm so thankful that He brings beauty from the ashes of our lives.

The best blessings take work

Today has been a difficult day. And really it has been a difficult day in a line of difficult days. Jonah is 7 months old now but is really developmentally a 24 week old baby considering how early he was born. Not sure if he's going through a growth spurt, or teething, or if his reflux is bothering him, but he has been a grumpy little boy for almost a week. One thing I AM thankful for is his nighttime sleeping patterns. He slept 12 hours again straight last night. Thank you, Jesus for being so merciful to this tired, stressed mama.
No one could have prepared me for motherhood adequately. Who knew something could bring you such agony and joy at the same time? The agony of sleepless nights, screaming babies, constantly smelling like spit up, picking boogers, nap-fighting; and then the joy of bedtime rocking, splashes of bath time, giggles, big gummy smiles, and the huge smile on your child's face when you pick them up. I definitely say the joy outweighs the hard times and I honestly believe that is what gets me through these fussy days. It's hard to put into words what it feels like to be a mother. I always wanted to be one and there was a difficult journey for me to become a mother. I'm so thankful that God gave me this gift. I don't ever want to take it for granted. It may be really, really, really hard some days, but the reward is so much greater than I ever could anticipate. Seems to me that most of the best gifts from God take the most work, or the most patience,or the most pain. But then, there is the huge blessing in it. Maybe it's because if we don't invest our blood, sweat, and tears into something we can't really appreciate how wonderful it is?
Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to invest in someone through a difficult day, because I know that joy comes in the morning.