His Presence Known

For those who don't know or haven't heard my Grandmother passed away September 10th, 2009. She battled cancer for two years before our Lord called her home. This blog post isn't about her death, it isn't about her life, it isn't even about the impact she had on my life or the love we shared but it is about God's presence. This story is about his love, his grace, and his comfort even in the toughest of times. I think sometimes we forget how real and present God is in our lives. May this story be a testament to His love.

As I mentioned my Grandmother had been fighting cancer for a few years and as August came to a close it seemed things were beginning to go downhill quickly. My wife Marie had purchased the new Chris Tomlin CD in early September and as I work out of my truck a lot I asked if I could borrow it to give me something to listen to. Track number 5 "I Will Rise" really had an impact on me as I was struggling with my Grandmother's life coming to an end. The song brought tears streaming down my face as I pictured the words coming to life and my Grandmother acting those words out. I had my wife listen to it and she agreed it was a perfect song for this situation. Fast forward a week and my Grandmother passes away. We drove up to Amarillo to spend the night with my parents before going over to Miami where I was born and raised, living a mile down the road from her, and stayed a few nights there with our whole family & extended family before the funeral.

While in Amarillo that first night however I played the Chris Tomlin song to my parents and told them what it meant to me while fighting off tears. I said I'd like to have it played at the funeral but figured that all of that was already figured out and it was a little late to add the song. Two days later while sitting in the pew attending my Grandmother's funeral one of the members of the church came up and sang "I Will Rise" in the middle of the service. Wow, what a memorable and touching moment while that song was being sung. After the service my Mom asked me what I thought of the song, she was like, "that's the one you played the other night isn't it?" Well come to find out my parents didn't request the song. I wasn't able to talk to the lady who sang but the pastor told me she had been praying about what to sing earlier that week and he didn't have a clue which one she felt led to sing until she was up there.

What a peace to know such a loving and gracious Savior. God's presence could not have been felt any more than her singing that song September 14, 2009.

"I WILL RISE" by Chris Tomlin

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say, It is well

Jesus has overcome
and the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise
When He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle's wings
Before my God
fall on my knees,
and rise...
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
when this darkness breaks to light
and the shadows disappear
and my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
and the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise
when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle's wings
Before my God
fall on my knees,
and rise...
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing
Worthy is the Lamb!
And I hear the cry of every longing heart
Worthy is the Lamb!

And I hear the voice of many angels sing
Worthy is the Lamb!
And I hear the cry of every longing heart
Worthy is the Lamb!

I will rise
when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle's wings
Before my God
fall on my knees,
and rise...
I will rise....
I will rise....