You get that phone call, or see that Facebook or Twitter update, sharing yet another tale of good news. You rejoice for your friend or neighbor. Still, your heart bleeds. You? You’ve been stumbling, half blind in the dark, with only traces of sunlight peeping through the clouds . . . on occasion. You know it’s right to praise him in every season, but this season has lasted longer than you ever expected. Where is the breakthrough? When can you experience joy again . . . without it being mixed with grief? Why does YOUR joy have to share space with pain?
You feel alone but He has not forgotten you. You’re still His, part of the beloved, surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses who walked this same path before you. Don’t give up. Get up, keep walking—stumbling, if you must. Keep clinging to the promise that He who called you is faithful.
I wrote a song called, “Quietly” a couple of years ago. The lyrics are below. It’s a simple, reflective, prayerful song about how God is leading, even when we don’t see, feel, or hear anything.
“He hears my prayers, they reach Him.” It is essential that we remember God is not deaf. Regardless of how we may feel, He IS listening . . . and He will answer in time.
Quietly
The lord is my shepherd he leads me
Quietly
He hears my prayers, they reach him
He bears my anxieties
He will not fail to shield me
From all my enemies
The lord is my shepherd he leads me
Quietly
The lord is my shepherd he leads me
Faithfully
He knows my heart, he heals it
Patiently
He hears my prayers, they reach him
He bears my anxieties
The lord is my shepherd he leads me
Quietly
He hears my prayers, they reach him
He bears my anxieties
The lord is my shepherd he leads me
Quietly
Words and Music: Stephanie Staples
©Stephanie Staples ASCAP
Listen here.
Another song that comes to mind is one by Twila Paris called, “Not Forgotten.” I’ve come back to this many times over the years.
Not Forgotten
Twila Paris
When you think your dream is dying
He has not forgotten you
When your body aches from tryin’
He has not forgotten you
When you worry for tomorrow
Even though the sky is blue
See the sun is shining
He has not forgotten you
When July feels like December
He has not forgotten you
When it’s painful to remember
He has not forgotten you
When it seems you can not win
And there is not much left to lose
He has got a plan
And He has not forgotten you
He is faithful
He is with you
He is listening
He is love
If your tired flesh has squandered
What your spirit would have saved
And your aimless feet have wandered
Far from all you truly crave
Turn and run toward your Father
Do not wait another day
See His arms are open
And He is calling out your name
And hope will spring eternal
In the homes of those who know
That loving arms will follow
Every where we go
And even in the darkness
His promises are true
Keep this in your heart
He has not… forgotten….. you.
