mercyme, light, tears and hope...

It is not often he looks at me and says I really want that... and sometimes I wonder if we have gone overboard in training them not to ask for things. Once in a while though, one of them does come right out and ask, rather than make the I wish or that sounds fun statement.  And so when he actually asked, I found a way.

The lights drew me in, before the first note was even played... the way they covered the crowd and sent glittering reflections into the rafters.  And when the music sounded, we were on our feet, clapping and singing, taking it all in.  It might have been the first time I have seen my son so caught up in worship... and to watch him experience that honest joy filled my heart...

It was not long before MercyMe played the first notes of The Hurt & The Healer... and not too long before my tears began to fall in rivers.  The songs takes me to Ann's side, even though I never got to be. 

Breathe
Sometimes I feel it’s all that I can do
Pain so deep that I can hardly move
Just keep my eyes completely fixed on You
Lord take hold and pull me through

I felt my husband's hand on my back, and then my shoulder.  He let my tears fall, because he knew that my soul needed the release...

So here I am
What’s left of me
Where glory meets my suffering
I’m alive
Even though a part of me has died
You take my heart and breathe it back to life
I’ve fallen into your arms open wide
When the hurt and the healer collide

When I hear those words, I know that losing Ann on earth was only her gain. My tears turn on me, bubbling up in selfishness... how can I cry for her when humanity is overcome by majesty and grace is ushered in for good?  Heartache can be soothed though, with so much hope... and through the tears, I love imagining her meeting with the Healer.

the second half of the show was all Christmas!

Worshipping in the arena on a December evening was all blessing. A perfect way to kick off Advent... and sink into the joy that covers Christmas. I'm not sure I realized how much he really loves MercyMe,  but now I know.  I'm so glad he asked!