Have you ever had a song stuck in your head that just won’t go away? That has been me the past week to two weeks.
First, a little backstory. For over 30 years I have had a friendship that started out with riding bikes together at least once a week. Over the 30+ years countless miles have gone under our bicycle tires and plenty of meals have been eaten. Not even distance could put a damper on our friendship. His prostate cancer changed all that.
Another man was one of the leaders in the church. When I was threatened and encouraged with termination he stood in front of me. When the church was embezzled, he stood strong. But diabetes and a downturn physically hit him hard. So did some lies that caused a rift between us. But being bed-bound gave me the opportunity to visit him almost weekly, take communion, and repair the tear in our relationship.
My cyclist friend has been told he has 3-6 months to live. That was over a month ago. His cancer is everywhere, in spite of every effort with chemo and experimental stuff. When Jo and I got back from AZ on the 27th I went to visit my former leader on Thursday at the rehab center. He died that Saturday. The following week I went to visit my cycling friend and that visit hit me hard. There are also some other daily issues that are weighing on me.
The song that has been my go-to, the one that has not left my mind, my bulwark, the one that has pointed me to the ONE has been Morning by Morning by Pat Barrett. You can listen to it here. With lyrics like “Morning by morning great is your faithfulness to me,” I am reminded I’m not in this alone. Psalm 62:6-7 says, “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor comes from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.” Psalm 63 follows it up with the following: “Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.” (verse 7-8).
I’m not alone. Neither are you. You can put a nail through that promise.
{Note: All Scripture is from the New Living Translation}
So much sadness . . . But for God and His comfort, we would all be lost. May His strength give you strength, Bill, and carry you through.
Blessings!
Thanks Martha. I’m glad I have His strength to keep me going and carrying on.
Bill, i stopped an listed to the song this morning and my heart, my soul, clinged to it. As I listened, my eyes started to water, the tears started to flow.
My heart goes out to you brother. Looking forward to getting together this evening.
I’m thankful for our friendship Ryan. Jo and I look forward to meeting with you and Amanda as well. And thanks for caring.
Psalm 62, and so many psalms, remind us that God is with us, and walking right along side of us, and God will never leave us. Life gets overwhelming, and hard seasons are difficult to go through. God is our ultimate, comforter, we know that, and we know to count on God. However, in the midst of everything caving in, we need God first, friends to lift us in prayers, and to be good listeners, and to also be a shoulder we can count on. Lifting you up in prayer Bill, asking God to give you strength, and encouragement that you need.
Thanks for the prayers Gail. You are right about so many Psalms remind us that God is with us.