This is the Day

It's been a while since I've written anything on my blog.  I determined that I would wait, since my last blog, until I had something meaningful to say. Or something that is encouraging at least.

This past week has been difficult and good.
Bitter and sweet.
Beautiful and ugly.

But through each day, mostly each very teary day, I have experienced God's goodness.  His miracles. His mercies that are new. Every morning.

I have been diligent in spending at least a half hour every morning in the precious Word of God.  I've been soaking up His very powerful Word.  I've been blessed.  Beyond measure. And I have needed that quiet time with the Lord.

My friend died a week ago.  She was exactly 8 days older than me. We became friends after she joined the Friends in Faith Chorus.  She was a very faithful, fun, diligent member of the chorus. And, she kept our refrigerator stocked with farm fresh eggs. Sometimes I would pop over to her place for the eggs and have a cup of tea with her in her inviting, welcoming kitchen, but  most of the time she would drop the eggs off at our place on her way to town. Or she would have her husband drop the eggs off. Either way, be it him or her, we'd have a visit. Quite likely, when she was on her way to town, it would be to lend a helping hand to someone. She was like the hands of Jesus to so many people.  She was an encourager.

Her funeral was on Friday. The hall was packed.  She was loved by so many people.

When we got home on Friday, after the service,  we decided to go to the City with DD and DS. DD's ring, that she had ordered with her well deserved tip money, was in at the jewellery store. It was a perfect excuse to head to the city and go out for supper - An  "I'm finished the spraying down south" celebration supper, according to My Sweetheart. It was a quick trip there and back. When we got back home I quickly checked my emails and I very sadly opened up an email  from a dear friend from my Bible College days informing me of the date and time of her son's funeral. He was the same age as DS.  The tears came.  Again. I  thought I was all cried out when my friend died.  But I wasn't. I cried for my friend's loss and her sadness. DS came upstairs and held me as I cried on his shoulder. That made me cry even harder.  Here I was, crying on the shoulder of my beloved 18 year old, and my friend would be burying her 18 year old today.

Yesterday, after church, when I was reflecting on my week, I also reflected on God's love for me. And for my friends who were going through such sad times. I also was reflecting on the time, the wonderful time, spent at church. The sermon was so 'right' for where everyone was. Jesus is alive. We have hope.

I wrote a song yesterday afternoon.  I had started it a year ago.  The chorus was waiting for verses. The verses needed this past week to happen before they could be written.

I want to share the lyrics with you.  My prayer is that you will be encouraged by them, whether you are celebrating or whether you are going through a hard time. Life is hard at times, but God is always good.  Always.

This is the Day

copyright 2013 by Heather Arnelien

 

This, this, this is the day

that the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and say

this is the day that the Lord has made.

 

My neighbor is a good man

with farming in his blood,

I know his heart is aching

he just buried his true love,

he's holding to God's promise

that he'll see his love one day,

but until that great reunion

Jesus hears him say....

 

This, this, this is the day

that the Lord has made,

I will rejoice and say

this is the day  the Lord has made.

 

She struggles up the stairs,

her steps are faltering,

she's faithful as she comes

to worship God and sing,

her family doesn't live here

but they came to church today.

As she held her new great grandson

I'm sure I heard her say...

 

This, this, this is the day

that the Lord has made,

I will rejoice and say

this is the day the Lord has made.

 

Through good times and in bad times,

through sunshine and the rain,

when hearts are overflowing

or when lives are full of pain...

 

This, this, this is the day

that the Lord has made,

I will rejoice and say

this is the day the Lord has made.