Honor Your Mother

Mother’s Day is one of the most beloved holidays on the calendar.  The mere mention of Mom evokes a feeling that symbolizes a lifetime of love.  Whether she is called Mother, Mom, Mama, Mum, or Mommy, the woman who takes care of her household and gives birth to her children is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30).  So take a moment today to praise your mother for everything she has done for you.  From changing your diapers and cleaning up your messes to being your personal chauffeur to countless activities and giving you a priceless treasure trove of wisdom, your mother has loved you unconditionally since the day you were conceived.  Whether you buy her a sentimental card or a bountiful bouquet of flowers, the most important thing you could do for your mother is to let her know you appreciate her and you love her.

Perhaps you are like me and your mom is no longer living on this earth.  You may question, “Why can’t we fast forward through the commercials mentioning Mother’s Day, avoid the greeting card aisles, and stop hearing about all of the endless celebrations honoring mom?”  The answer is simple.  God wants us to honor our mothers every day of our lives.  Ephesians 6:2-3 says, “‘Honor your father and mother’--which is the first commandment with a promise—‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’”  You see, we are not only to honor our parents in order to please them.  We are to honor our parents in order to please God.  By doing so, God has promised that we can enjoy a long life on this earth.

As a child, it seemed that nothing could ever separate my mom, dad, and I.  We were like the Three Musketeers.  In my mind, we would always be together.  I already had plans of building a house on our property upon getting married.  My children could see their grandparents every day of the year, providing we were not busy traveling the globe.  I knew it would be amazing to have my mom close by, to answer all of the questions that marriage and motherhood would raise.  Suddenly, though, on August 2, 2008, all of my dreams for the future came crashing down around me.  My mom had a heart attack and went to be with the Lord.  There was no warning, no chance for goodbyes.  The world as I knew it up until that tragic night changed instantly.  Nothing could have ever prepared me for the void in my heart.

That’s often how things happen.  Life changes in the blink of an eye.  In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation, establishing the first national Mother’s Day holiday.  Less than three months later, World War I ensued, resulting in over 22 million casualties.  I’m sure on the first Mother’s Day, many mothers and children alike never dreamed their lives would change forever over the course of the next four years.  But the family members who survived this catastrophic battle likely became closer knit, held together by an even stronger bond of love, with the complete realization of how fragile and precious life truly is.  Even though their lives changed drastically, they continued living life.  They did not stop honoring their parents, but continued to honor them through the way they lived their own lives.

Since my mom passed away, bittersweet memories still cloud many aspects of my life, especially on Mother’s Day.  While things have changed, and I no longer know what God’s plan is for me concerning marriage and motherhood, I know for certain that God holds my future in His hands.  I may not understand everything He has planned for me, but I trust in His perfect will.  Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” My dad and I love God.  We know we are called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for our shared heart for ministry and music.  God has blessed us with a strong father-daughter bond.  No matter what trials come our way, or what battles we find ourselves in, God will work all things out for our good.

I want to encourage you today.  God will do the same for you.  If your heart breaks with the thought of another Mother’s Day without your mom, rest assured that God will work all things out for your good.  Focus on the priceless memories you have of your mom.  Honor her by telling someone a story as you reminisce over the cherished time you shared with your mom.  Honor her by spending time with your dad, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, or friends who knew her.  Honor her by giving the greatest gift you could ever give to your children: unconditional love.  Most importantly, remember that God has not forsaken you.  God says in His Word, “‘As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you’” (Isaiah 66:13).  Even in the absence of your mother, know that God is watching over you, comforting you, loving you unconditionally.  Your Heavenly Father will mend your broken heart and restore your joy.  Unlike the people and pleasures found in this world, He is the only One who eternally can fill the void of a parent, a child, or any other loved one.  You are loved by the One who created the Heavens and the Earth!  Rest in His loving arms this Mother’s Day!

Mothers are extraordinary women.  Sadly, they will not be in our lives forever.  The Bible says that our lives are like a vapor, here one moment and gone the next.  So cherish each moment you have with your mother.  If your mom is still living, spend as much time as you can with her, give her a warm embrace, and tell her how much you love her.  Honor your mother and your father.  Above all, honor God, our faithful Friend, our compassionate Comforter, and our loving Father in Heaven.  He is the Father to the fatherless and the mother to the motherless.  Tell someone about Jesus Christ and His infinite love this Mother’s Day.  I could think of no better way to honor your mother!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Enjoying Life Every Moment You Live

Do you enjoy every minute of your life?  If you’re like me, you would probably have to respond with a definite no.  While we want to enjoy every moment of life, there are often circumstances beyond our control that we must endure.  Some of these circumstances, ranging from minor ones like a flat tire on the way to work to major ones like the loss of a loved one, serve to squelch any positive feelings we may have when we first get out of bed in the morning.  Still, Jesus says that we should enjoy every day of our lives.  How can we enjoy everyday life, even in this imperfect world in which we live?  Jesus knew that life would be hard at times, so He tells us how to have joy on our journey.  In reality, it is not about enjoying every day of our life; it’s about enjoying every moment we live.

When Jesus walked on this earth, He did not experience unprecedented joy 365 days a year.  There were times when He prayed all night long, desperately seeking His Father’s will.  There were days that He was tempted by Satan.  Toward the end of His ministry, many people sought to kill Him and shortly thereafter, He was beaten and crucified.  While every day was not filled with laughter and joyous occasions, He had joy down inside of Him.  He wants His joy deep inside of us as well, so we can be full of joy at all times.  Jesus said, “‘These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full’” (John 15:11).  If we seek the will of our Heavenly Father, the joy of the Lord will remain in us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.  At the grocery store, on the job, or anytime, we can be full of joy when we follow Him.

Perhaps you are reading this, thinking, how can I possibly have joy?  I agree.  There are some things in life that are so very difficult to overcome.  In these moments, it is nearly impossible to find joy in the midst of our sorrow.  I am reminded of the days that my parents and I prepared funerals for my two baby brothers.  They were both born premature.  They never even had the opportunity to come home from the hospital.  Maybe you have also experienced grief through the loss of a child or another loved one.  Jesus gave us detailed instruction on how to find joy during difficult times.  Jesus states, “‘Therefore you now have sorrow; but […] your joy no one will take from you. […] Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full’” (John 16:22, 24).  No one can take away your joy.  While my parents and I grieved the loss of my baby brothers, we knew that God had a greater plan for our lives.  We knew that God would restore our joy, even though it seemed like a hopeless time in our lives.  God’s promises are true and He never fails.  If He promises that our sorrow will be turned into joy, then rest assured that it will happen (John 16:20).

You may be thinking...it’s too late.  My joy was gone a long time ago.  I gave it away.  There’s no way I’m ever getting it back.  I exchanged it for drugs, alcohol, or some other outlet that promised to bring me joy for a fleeting moment.  Your battle may be a personal one, where you are engaging in activities that are harmful to you physically, emotionally, or mentally.  Each day goes by and you wonder why you were even placed upon this earth.  You wonder if you will ever have joy again.  I want to encourage you today.  You were put on this earth for a purpose.  God knew that you would exist long before you were ever born.  You matter.  Put your trust in Jesus Christ.  There is joy to be found in the midst of your trials.  No matter what you are going through, Jesus will give you hope for a brighter future and joy to replace your sorrows.  Jesus loves you.  He gave His life for you.  Through His death, your sins have been washed away.  You are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God!  Call on the name of Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. 

If you are a Christian, there could be coworkers, friends, or family members who are trying to discourage you in your faith.  In the book of James, Christians are given the following advice: “‘[C]ount it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience’” (James 1:2).  Joy gives us the strength necessary to endure sorrowful times, or to overcome persecution from believers and non-believers alike.  Nehemiah 8:10 states, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  The Lord will give us strength to face every single challenge that life throws our way.  Does this mean that we should thank God for our trials?  No.  James shares this wisdom so we know that these trials, though difficult, will make us stronger.  We should rejoice in our trials, not for our trials.

Even in the midst of these trials, though, we can still enjoy living.  We may not enjoy everything that happens in life, but we can enjoy the fact that we are alive.  We can also enjoy more abundant life by applying the fruits of the spirit to our daily existence.  God’s Word declares, ^“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).  By applying these “fruits” to our individual lives, we can learn to experience joy on a daily basis.  Psalm 1:3 says, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”  The fruits of the spirit will enable us to succeed in everything we do: great or small.  Through these successes, our lives will take on a greater meaning and we can experience divine happiness, something that cannot come from the worldly pleasures we encounter.  Divine happiness is God-given.  It is a type of joy that abounds when life is wonderful and even when times are tough.  Through this joy in our lives, we can enjoy living life, even with the flat tires that inconvenience us and the great losses that threaten to overwhelm us.

God created this earth and He provides us daily with the means to enjoy and value everyday life.  While some days will be harder than others, we can face each day with the calm assurance that God is in control.  We can boldly go forth, with the assurance that He will always bring us joy, even in the depths of despair.  While we may not always enjoy every moment in life, we can certainly be grateful for and enjoy every moment we are alive.  Every day is a blessing from above.  I Timothy 6:17 states, God “gives us richly all things to enjoy.”  God wants us to be joyful.  He wants us to rejoice in our trials, not for our trials.  By focusing on the fruits of the spirit as the backbone of our countenance, we can truly enjoy every moment we live.  By doing so, we can value life and live a life of value.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

The Mountain

“If anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” – Mark 11:23

A few summers ago, my dad and I traveled to Washington State. Following a picturesque cruise to Alaska, we planned to visit Mount Rainier National Park where we would spend a few nights at Paradise Inn. Built in 1916, this lodge is designated as one of the “Great Lodges of the West.” The only thing more beautiful than the lodge itself is its surroundings. For this particular lodge sits in the shadows of Mount Rainier, a majestic mountain that is crowned with a snow covered cap year round. No matter where you stand in and around the lodge, you are captivated by the 360° views of mountain vistas. The lobby is adorned with gorgeous woodwork, hand-painted lampshades, and enormous stone fireplaces. The dining hall serves succulent dishes that would satisfy the taste buds of the most discerning palette. But of course, the main attraction will always be the mountain.

The first time I laid eyes on Mount Rainier, I felt as if I was one step closer to Heaven. The atmosphere is so clean and fresh, with the smell of Evergreen trees permeating the air. The views are so breathtakingly beautiful, like a National Geographic postcard. The location is aptly named because it truly does feel like you have stepped into paradise. I’ve been blessed to travel to several locations in my life where I felt entirely safe, where I was utterly stress free, and where it seemed like the peace filling my soul could never be jolted, even for a moment. While our entire stay at Paradise Inn certainly fit this description, we encountered a major interruption on the way to the airport. For this seemingly perfect day that started with a huge smile on my face would transform itself into one where my face was streaming with tears.

As we were driving between Mount Rainier National Park and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, a mother deer charged toward the front fender and bumper of our vehicle. We swerved, braked, and did everything we could do to avoid hitting the deer. We did all we could do. But it was no use. When we finally came to a complete stop, I looked back at the deer in the middle of the road. Although my first thought should have been one of gratefulness for our safety, I happened to notice a couple of fawns standing on the other side of the road in the grass, looking toward what appeared to be their mother lying there, still and unmoving. The fact that they would have to go through the rest of their lives without their mother overwhelmed me. It was at that very moment that tears began to stream down my face.

You see, it wasn’t the deer for which I was primarily grieving over. I saw myself in those precious fawns. One moment they were walking with their mother, having a perfectly good day. The next moment, their life turned upside down. The shock, the sadness, and the disbelief all came back to me in a wave of emotion. I had cried before, but this time I let the tears truly flow. I couldn’t control them anyway. But somehow, someway, I feel as if God used these tears to cleanse the sorrow that seemingly overshadowed everything I did, including the bittersweet feelings I had whenever my dad and I visited a new destination. Through this moment filled with shock, God showed me that life does go on. He showed me that even though life would never be the same, we could truly find a new normal, something I thought was not even possible up until this time.

Since that day, I have realized several things that were not apparent to me in the midst of those circumstances. First, God sent His angels to protect us, bringing our vehicle to a complete stop. Neither my dad nor I received any injuries. The air bags did not even deploy. How much worse it could have been. The volunteer fire fighter we spoke to before heading back to Seattle said a local family could use the venison from the mother deer and he was hopeful that another deer would adopt the two orphan fawns. While none of these things on their own made this a “good” experience, I see now that God did take this unfortunate situation and turn it around for good. Through this detour on our journey, food was put on a family’s table, and my dad and I were reminded that God has not forgotten us. For no matter what we are facing, I know for certain that God never fails.

What about you? Are you struggling to find emotional healing from a detour in your life? Is there a mountain that you just cannot seem to climb? I want to encourage you today. Jesus will help you move that mountain out of your way. All you have to do is have faith and believe. No matter what you are going through, Jesus Christ is the answer. He will pick you up, dust you off, and give you a brand new beginning. Do not let anything or anyone stop you from living your life. Get back on the road of life, keep your eyes on Jesus, and keep on driving. You can’t change the past, but you can find a new future. Jesus wants to give you hope and life eternal. Whatever you are suffering from, whether it is drug or alcohol addiction, verbal or physical abuse, grief over the loss of a friend or family member...whatever it is, Jesus will meet you right where you are. He loves you more than life itself. That’s why He gave His life for you. Call on the name above all names, Jesus Christ, today. Then watch that mountain move!

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Cracked Eggs

When was the last time you cracked an egg?  Perhaps it was just this morning as you were making breakfast.  Maybe it was this past Easter when you cracked open the first boiled egg that you so carefully decorated with your children.  Or maybe you haven’t cracked an egg since the summer camp where you and your fellow campers participated in an egg toss.  Eggs are a wonderful example of God’s delicate handiwork.  From delicious meals to newborn chicks, eggs end hunger and give birth to new life.  But what good is an egg until it’s cracked?

An egg’s shell is such an intricate container, bearing the perfect size and shape to maintain the egg or chick inside in its proper position and climate.  While this shell serves its purpose well, it is extraordinarily fragile.  The tiniest tap on the shell can result in a crack.  The egg whites start to trickle out.  Soon the egg yolk flows out in one continuous motion.  Soon all that is left is an empty shell, cracked and broken.

In reality, you and I are a lot like this egg.  We have this outer shell that often serves as a shield from physical, emotional, or mental heartache.  Yet this wall that we put up is extremely delicate, just like an egg shell.  Many times, one bit of news can seemingly cause our shell to crack, or even the whole world around us to crumble.

The loss of a loved one, the ending of a marriage through divorce, the suffering of a child who is battling a life-threatening disease, the burden of possible bankruptcy…all of these things can cause our life to go into a tailspin.  When our life takes an unplanned turn such as these, this is the moment our shell is compromised.

Inevitably, the shell cracks.  Everything within us vanishes, leaving us feeling alone, frightened, and empty, just like the remains of a cracked egg.  The raw emotions we have held in for so long begin to ooze their way out of this shell that we have hid in for so long.  But it is only once the shell is cracked that people realize who we really are inside.  They finally get to see the real person who has been hiding in a broken shell.

Inevitably, an egg is useless unless it is broken. You cannot eat an egg unless the shell is broken.  Despite the many comedy routines depicting the “baker” mixing whole eggs into the batter, you can’t bake with an egg that is still in its shell.  Even a chick that is growing inside of an egg eventually breaks out of the shell.  The shell simply serves as a vessel to ingeniously hold the contents inside.  But this shell only holds these contents for a season.  Without first cracking the shell, the egg is essentially useless in its unbroken state.

Similarly, you and I live in another type of shell.  The only question is whether or not you live in a broken or unbroken shell.  Do you hold all of your emotions inside, hoping no one will see the “real you?”  Has there been a time when you said you were “okay,” even though the pain and grief were nearly too much to bear?  Personally, I have been there.  I know what it’s like to live inside of a shell, afraid to let your emotions spill through the cracks.  Let me tell you that you cannot truly enjoy life, constantly trying to patch up the cracks.

I want to encourage you to break out of your shell.  Don’t worry about whether or not the egg yolk and whites spill out.  Allow others to see the real gift that lies inside of you.  Just like a little baby chick hatching from its shell, you can also blossom into a beautiful miracle.  God can take you out of your shell and give you the life you have always dreamed of living.  He’s a specialist when it comes to taking what’s broken and making it whole.  Don’t hide in your shell any longer; embrace a new life with Christ!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Changing Leaves

On this first day of October, I woke up to find a crisp, cool breeze outside, something quite uncommon in this part of the world. Living in Florida, we do not generally have a significant change of seasons, yet I have grown to notice the subtle changes that occur at this time of the year. For instance, the warming nature of a friends’ status update on Facebook concerning a pot of chili she has simmering on the stove in celebration of the fall weather coming on. Or the beauty of the increasing number of pumpkins, scarecrows, and mums displayed on every corner. Everywhere I look, I see the transition from summer colors to fall ones. And you know what? The leaves aren’t the only things that are changing.

Just like the changing leaves, our lives change each season, each month, each week, and each day of our lives. Some of these changes are welcome, much like the refreshing nature of the cooler weather in the fall or the birth of a new infant. But other changes are undesired, such as the failing health of a friend or loved one or added stress from a new job. Even so, we do not have control over these situations. We cannot change the future no more than we can change the past. But we can pray for God’s strength and peace to help us get through every difficulty we encounter.

Recently, I have had several close family members and friends face critical medical conditions. Just today, I found out that one dear friend may be battling cancer and another may be going into assisted living. Another has doctors trying to figure what is causing their discomfort, and still another is being asked to try a fairly new medication to see if it will help them. Several others are facing various trials in their lives as well. None of them expected to have their health change so drastically, but their physical condition changed nonetheless. Still, they must ask God for strength and healing, holding on to the joy that still exists all around them, despite the unwelcome change in their lives.

Personally, I have seen change in my own life as well, some welcome and some otherwise. Being blessed with my first trip to Europe this summer was a very welcome change from our usual summer routine. This was a change that filled my heart with joy and provided me with an epic adventure that I will always cherish in my heart. On the other side of the coin, there was one change three years ago that caused my heart to break in two. Losing my mom was a very unwanted, tragic change. There are still days when I cannot believe that she is not here with me. I cannot comprehend why this happened. I only know that it did and there is nothing I can do about it.

Both of these changes came like a gust of autumn wind, but what a difference between the two. Even so, I know that God is always with me. He was with me as I made my way to the top of the Eiffel Tower, just like He was with me when I sang at my mom’s funeral. You see, He wants to be a part of every aspect of my life, from the most amazing joys to the darkest sorrows. He walks with me in good times and bad. And He wants to do the same for you. All you have to do is ask.

Much like the brilliantly colored leaves that fall to the ground, the changes we experience in life will never be distinctly alike. Some of changes will be pleasant ones that we wish would last forever and others will bring with them an unpleasantness that seems unbearable. No matter what type of change you are going through, God will walk through the valley with you. He will hold your hand. He will carry you all the way. While this world may be racked to the core with change, there is one thing that will never, ever change. Remember that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). Put your trust in Jesus. Don’t let the unwelcome changes in life get you down. Instead, step outside in the crisp, fall air. Listen to the rustle of the wind blowing gently through the trees. Spend some time alone with God in prayer in the midst of the changing leaves.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Stuck in the Sunset

When I was a teenager, I wrote a song titled, “There’s Sunshine Awaiting You.”  The moment I finished writing the song, I knew that God himself had given me the lyrics.  Why?  Because the song had a message that transcended the limits of my understanding at this period of my life.  You see, the first verse talks about a mother who has lost her child.  While I have known people who have gone through this same trial, I have not personally experienced this sort of tragic loss firsthand.  Still, God knew that my Mom was the one who needed to hear the lyrics to this song at this exact moment in her life.  She was the first one who heard the song, and the first one who cried as she listened.  I immediately knew that God had a hand in this one.  Little did I know then that this song would one day hold a more significant meaning to me personally.  More than a decade later, I would find myself stuck in the sunset.

When I was a little girl, my two little brothers were born prematurely and passed away as infants.  I am almost certain that this is why the first verse of my song touched my Mom’s heart in such a special way.  As I sang the song repeatedly over the years, and even recorded it on my very first cassette, I was so humbled to see that it was ministering to people on so many levels.  I enjoyed singing it, I thought the soundtrack was beautiful, and I knew the lyrics were anointed.  Still, I could not personally identify with the lyrics of the song, having never been through such a dark time in my life.  I had always been the one to smile, no matter what.  I could always see a glimpse of sunshine, even behind the darkest storm cloud.  Truth be told, I had not yet seen the darkest storm cloud at this time in my life.

I had witnessed the death of more close friends and loved ones than most people I knew had even been to funerals.  Brothers, grandfathers, a grandmother, aunts, uncles, and other friends and relatives…so many loved ones going on to be with the Lord.  But, even in the midst of the loss we experienced, my Mom, Dad, and I remained a close-knit Christian family.  No matter what happened around us, we knew that the three of us would love and support each other through sunshine and rain.  We were like the Three Musketeers.  And I had faith that God would always keep us together, no matter what storms brewed overhead.  On August 2, 2008, the darkest storm of my life came upon me as suddenly as a tornado can flatten an entire town.  There was no warning, there were no goodbyes, and there was nothing my Dad or I could do to silence the violent storm.

Since that tragic night, God has spoken to my heart on several occasions.  I still don’t have all of the answers.  I don’t understand why my Mom is not nearby, waiting to read the next entry of my blog, a blog she never had the opportunity to read.  And cannot tell you why my Dad and I are not living in this house as a family of five, my Mom and younger brothers still with us.  What I do know is that God has a perfect plan for our lives.  He walks with me in the sunshine and in the sunset.  He holds my hand, whether I am climbing mountains, traversing a rocky terrain, or wading through a raging river.  Psalm 23:4 (NIV) says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  I will not be afraid of what tomorrow may bring because I know that God will comfort me in all of my tomorrows.  He gives me His perfect peace and He shines forth His light, even though the sun has set.  And I know He will continue to bring forth the vibrant sunshine in my life once again, in His timing.

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to sing at my home church on Mother’s Day.  For many singers, I am sure this would not be a problem.  For me, it is another story.  The moment I was asked, a red flag shot up.  I thought, no…no, I can’t do that.  I can happily sing any other Sunday, but not that one.  I think the pastor must have seen the look in my eyes similar to a deer caught in the headlights, and he quickly asked if it would be too difficult for me.  I’ll be honest with you.  My first response would have been, yes, it would be virtually impossible for me to sing on Mother’s Day.  And I am sure the pastor would have accepted this, and asked me to sing at another time.  Yet, something tugged at my heart and immediately, I knew that this was something I must do.

As I told the pastor that I would sing, I pondered the song that I would share on this day on which we honor our mothers.  So, I thought about what I would sing if my Mom could be in the congregation on this special occasion.  And of course, the answer was simple.  I would sing, “There’s Sunshine Awaiting You.”  Now, I had not sung this song since my Mom’s funeral.  So, I quickly began seeking God for a different answer other than the one I knew He had given.  I mean, I couldn’t sing on Mother’s Day, much less sing this song.  Have you ever had one of those moments when you thought, what is God thinking?  Well, this was one of those moments for me.  Since I was asked to sing, I have run through the song twice.  The first time I ran through the song, I heard the lyrics in a new light.  My song was ministering to me.  I realized that I had been stuck in the sunset.  And that is why I need to sing this song.  Sure, when I stand up on the platform on that particular Sunday, I will likely blubber as I introduce the song and I am sure pitch will have a new meaning when I reach the song’s end.  But, sometimes serving the Lord isn’t about eloquent speech or perfect pitch.  Sometimes it’s simply about answer His call, no matter how difficult it seems.

Even when we’re stuck in the sunset, we have the assurance that there is sunshine awaiting us.  Although it may seem unbearable at times, we need to be faithful to the One who created us.  He will bring us to a place of rest, away from the storms of life that overwhelm us.  The lyrics of my song speak about seeing a sunset that seems forever, and how difficult it is to face grief and pain.  This sunset that you find yourself in may seem long-lasting, but it is not forever.  When you reach the lowest, darkest valley, God will bring you to your knees.  When you cannot go on one more mile, God will carry you through each and every storm.  If you find yourself stuck in the sunset, rest assured that there’s sunshine awaiting you.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer