Rise Song
Gemstone
What do you do when you hear that special song come onto the radio? In my car, the volume dial on the radio won't go any higher than 62, and that's still not loud enough. When this song comes on the radio, we don't care who's looking at us like we're crazy, and we don't care whose voice sounds like a screeching cat, the volume is going all the way up. Each of us now have that uplifting song that means something special, and the volume goes up.
"Your heart's paralyzed, you're so stuck," reminds me of a night when my little girl wasn't returned to me. Paralyzing fear, and deep inside my soul, I knew I wasn't going to get her back. I knew her father had no intention on returning her back to me, as he liked to show me that it didn't matter what our court order said, he was the ultimate boss.
Have you ever turned around and noticed your little one not standing right there, but seconds ago he/she was just tugging on your shirt. Overwhelming fear races into your chest. The only thing that makes a mother feel better is placing her eyes on her child again, safe. For me, that night was excruciating, unbearable, unbelievable, and though deep down I expected such behavior, I certainly didn't expect this. Panic overwhelmed every nerve ending in my body. I couldn't breathe and quickly became enraged with every passing moment. I felt powerless.
Once again, I'd like to tell you that I had unshakeable faith. I did not. Instead, I was downright angry with God. I can remember vividly my wrestling conversation wit the Lord. "Seriously, Lord, what could you possibly have for me to learn from this experience? Why couldn't you have given me the one hour version of this lesson? Do you like seeing me broken like this? Haven't I shown you that I will grow? What the heck is this feeling in my hands (as my fists clenched)? I AM NOT ABRAHAM, FATHER!!!!"
Let's pause and talk about the story of Abraham being tested with Isaac, "Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Genesis 20:2
That story has left its mark on my soul for many years since I read it. I knew that night that God had the power to dramatically change the situation in my favor and I realized that what I feared most was my own King. If the God of the Universe didn't move in a supernatural way then I would not see my little girl again. At least, not without a nasty legal battle to get her back and if you've been subjected to custody trial, though it does depend on the county you live it, my county takes at least a year, if not more.
I could sense the Holy Spirit trying to calm me while I was yelling at God that night. When your pastor tells you the Holy Spirit intercedes on your behalf, they are correct. The Holy Spirit maintained one statement to me throughout the entire night, "what are YOU going to DO when you find her and he is not there."
Would you believe after a 36 hour wrestle emotionally, spiritually, and physically, God led me right to the room where I would find my daughter sitting without her dad, and finally my little girl was in my arms again. When the situation was addressed in court the judge asked me why I was so upset over less than two days. Actually, the judge called it a day because part of the time she was gone included dad's visitation day. I would like to tell you that I didn't have a feeling, but the moment she left for that visit, my soul new. And, worse, all day the day she was supposed to return, anxiety filled me and I just couldn't place my finger on it.
My answer to the judge was simple..."because of principal, your honor, using our daughter to terrorize me and attempt to gain custody is parental abuse." Two day, when really it was 5 days, felt like a month. I understand minimizing heightened emotions that I see the courts do to encourage both parties to simmer down, but the principal remained for me. A child should not be used as a pawn to gain custody.
That night did teach me something, I let my faith foundation shake, tremble and rattle when my children are used as pawns, and I quickly forget that I invited God into my situation to lead. My King, who promises to "uphold me with His righteous right hand."
Instead of asking Him, "Why are you doing this, Lord?" I now practice asking Him, "What are you doing and how long is this going to last?" That last question, being a patience struggle for me.
You were made to Rise - Shine!!
Rise
by Danny Gokey
There’s a brokenness inside of you ; there’s a wound that still reminds you of the hurt, shame, fear, and rejection.
You have seen it, you have seen it
you know that it’s time to get up
but your heart’s paralyzed, you’re so stuck; you’re past the point of trying again; you’re defeated, you’re defeated but something inside you can’t deny you hear the cry of your creator
I made you for more,
unlocked the door
I wanna restore your glory
So rise breaking the dark, piercing the night;
you’re made to shine
an army of hope bringing the world a radiant light, a radiant light you were made to rise
Lift your head and look around you, see the dreams you lost, they have found you and the heart that once stopped beating is coming back to life, coming back to life
but something inside you
can’t deny, you hear the
cry of your creator
I made you for more,
unlocked the door
I wanna restore your glory
Shut the door on yesterday
leave what happened in the grave
You were made to Rise - Shine!
All in one month, a website comes under way, then I trip across this inexpensive necklace that I hold tightly in my hand when I wear it, and Danny Gokey creates the song "Rise," God is so good!!!
Get your own by clicking picture.