Month of Music - Day 1

Zack loved music. He was also blessed with a great singing voice. It was a joy to stand next to him in church or to hear him just singing around the house sometimes. The Newsboys (from Queensland, Australia - where we are right now!) were his favorite group, but there were many others that he liked and listened to.

Since music has played such a huge role in our Christian walk - as encouragement, inspiration, teacher - I've decided to do a "Month of Music." For the next 31 days, I'll post the words to a different song of inspiration each day, with some explanation of how it made it onto the list.


So, it's been about a month and a half since I last posted. I'm such a lazy blogger.

Thank you for your prayer support re: the party. After I wrote the prayer request, I spent some time driving around in my car, listening to music and praying. I was so scared about what might happen to our guests, home, etc. Then, as I listened to one particular song, "You Were There" by Avalon, I began to feel peace about the situation. Here's the song:


You Were There by Avalon

I wonder how it must have felt
When David stood to face Goliath on a hill
I imagine that he shook with all his might
Until You took his hand, and held on tight

'Cause You were there, You were there
In the midst of danger's snare
You were there, You were there always
You were there when the hardest fight
Seemed so out of reach
Oh, You were there, You were always there
You were always there

So there he stood upon that hill
Abraham with knife in hand was poised to kill
But God in all his sovereignty had bigger plans
And just in time, You brought a lamb

'Cause You were there, You were there
In the midst of the unclear
You were there, you were there always
You were there when obedience
Seemed to not make sense
You were there, You were always there
You were always there

So haven't I learned that my ways
Aren't as high as Yours are
And You alone keep the universe
From crumbling into dust
You are God and though we would
Not have understood You
There You were

Hanging blameless on a cross
You would rather die than leave us in the dark
Every moment, every planned coincidence
Just all makes sense
With Your last breath

You were there, You were there
During history's darkest hour
You were there, You were there always
You were the Victor and the King
You were the power in David's swing
You were the calm in Abraham
You are the God who understands
You are the strength when we have none
You are the living, Holy one
You were, You are and You will always be
The Risen Lamb of God

You were, You are and You will always be
The Risen Lamb of God


As I listened to this song and prayed, I remembered that God had been there with us through all of the time with Zack's illness; he was there beside us when we had to look at MRIs that showed the cancer had taken over Zack's brain; he was with me in the dark November night, sitting at the waterfall outside M. D. Anderson, realizing that when we left the hospital this time we would be going home to be with Zack as the cancer finished taking his earthly life - God was with me in a palpable way and he was with me still. I thought if I could stand going through all that we went through with the cancer, I could certainly deal with a few rowdy party goers. Not me on my own, but with God's protection and help.

We passed the word to everyone that the party was cancelled and Ariel went to a friends' house for the evening. A few random cars drove by, but there were no problems. God is far better to me than I deserve. He is better to all of us than we deserve.