Tears in a Jar: Praise You in the Storm

"Praise You In This Storm"
-Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

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

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For 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

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You 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 lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I really can't explain it any more than how this song does - but I'm gonna try. If I knew how to post the actual song so you could hear I would.

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

I can not tell you how many times I pleaded with God to change His mind and give me my girls. I was convinced if I prayed and pleaded enough God would have to hear me and give in to my petitions. All the while I knew and believed that God is Sovereign and He sees the Big Picture and I can only see one piece. I rest in the knowledge that as my "story" unfolds I will begin to see more of the picture but I will never understand the whole picture this side of Eternity.

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

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For 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

In spite of the storm raging around me I stayed focused on God and the Hope that only He could bring to me. In Hebrews 13:5 Jesus says "I will never leave you nor forsake you". When I don't feel like lifting my hands in praise to my God, Jesus is there holding them up for me. When my burden of grief and pain seems too hard to bear, Jesus takes it from me. Psalms 56:8 says "You have taken account of my lament and keep my tears in a bottle". My tears are important to my God.

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

It always seemed that in my darkest hour I still felt His presence around me. Keeping me... Holding me... Comforting me... Catching my tears... Right there where I needed Him to be... All I needed to do was reach out my hands and Praise.