Desert Song

Yep, another post on this season of transition in my life!  Life was so much simpler before mortgages and retirement accounts, and being 40 and single ... it just has complicated a life that was free to go wherever God led with peace and excitement in the process.  These days I recount mortgage rates in my head, recalculate the days of 6 month housing, line of house appointments and calculate the hours home to Arkansas ...all while trying to navigate two new campuses, block out the stomping feet over me in the hotel and decide that indeed, this is not the month to give up Diet Coke!  I'm still looking for that faith-filled girl who would pack up an apartment in three days flat and follow God to parts unknown with peace and anticipation.  I can remember a friend asking me one day how I knew when God was calling me to do something because I was the only person in his life he knew who really followed God to new places ... hmmm ... yep, looking for that girl.  If you find her, can you send her my way, because the girl that's here is tired of the mental olympics going on here in my life!

Last night as I was lamenting this season of my life to Callie (over ice cream and The Bachelor), she reminded me of this song.  And these are the lines that are resonating with my heart today ...

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

ALL of my life ... He is the same God who has provided through moves and changes and callings and careers.  He is the SAME.  Though my circumstances may change, He doesn't.  And He is still there.

In ever season ... THIS is a season ... this is not a forever.  As I recounted the last three months to Callie, I remembered that yes, it's been three months, only three months ... and those three months have included four trips to Arkansas, the death of my grandfather, suicide of my cousin, Toni, resigning from a job that was tough for a job that is still tough, putting my first house on the market (in a scary, crazy market), having to figure out house maintainance stuff I've never had to do, and starting to move away from my support system and Georgia family.  But this is a season ... and this too shall go from my song in the desert of this season to my song in the fire some days, the harvest other days, and Lord-willing the harvest of days to come. 

HE is still God ... and I still have a reason to sing.  I have reasons to worship ... so many. 

531. Ice cream and Bachelor with Callie

532. listening to God in the words of songs

533. air conditioning ... it's hot out there!

534. provision in the transition - I have a place to live here for 6 months

535. the POOL at that place I have to live

536. alumni who want to be part of what God's doing here

537. so many new and old friends in Augusta

538. getting to the end of the house projects

539. the freedom to go back and forth between Augusta and Winder

540. details coming together on both campuses

541. a sweet time with old friends at Hannah's shower last week

542. time to catch up with friends at "home" (yup, your guess is as good as mine as to what that means these days) last week

543. dinners with Gavin

544. water bottles

545. ice cream with chocolate sauce

This is my prayer in the desert

And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

(Desert Song: Hillsong United)