Saturday, January 15, 2011

Spiritual Sunday "In the Presence"

Charlotte and Ginger host Spiritual Sundays. They're awesome. If you want to join in  post and add your name at Spiritual Sunday

"You can have the other words-chance, luck, coincidence, serendipity. I'll take grace. I don't know what it is exactly, but I'll take it. " Mary Oliver 

While I was writing my book, In the Eye of Deception....there were times I wanted to get in my car...close my eyes...and drive. It hurt so much to remember. At one point I wanted to find the rapist's family...to know who raised such a brutal man.  I googled their last name and found these singers with the same name.  And this particular song "happened" to come up.  I had never heard of them or the song. Although it's not usually my type of music.....I was pulled into listening to it over and over and over. The words held me. 

I started running in the hills near our house....in the heat...in the rain...all hours of the day and late into the evenings...trying to outrun the memories and pain. I wanted to know why He allowed it to happen. Why He didn't help me earlier...before things had gotten so bad.

The more I listened to the song...the more I spent time alone with Him in the hills....something started to happen. The words slipped into my heart and I slowly I began to realize....it wasn't His fault what happened. And in His presence...it didn't even matter anymore. In His presence.....the pain began to lift...and also the shame....and fear. In His presence..I finally found what I needed ever since it happened...peace...hope...freedom.

...and when I come into His presence....all my questions become clear....In the presence of Jehovah....

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

I awoke this morning with the song "In His Presence" in my mind. I know that reading your post today is not coincidental. Thank you for sharing with us, and for reminding us that in His presence there truly is freedom, love and fullness of joy!

Anonymous said...

Oh ladies (and gents!), God is so amazing! Praise His holy name.

Surprised By Joy! said...

My Dearest Sarah,
Thank you for posting such a beautiful song. I have had a very hard week and it is just what I needed to hear and read. (tears streaming down my face) It is just like God to turn things around and lead you to him and not the rapist's family. :)

Hugs to you,
Tammy

Nana Jul said...

I love how when you wanted to "Find them" He Led you to "Find Him" Exactly what you needed to release them...and find freedom in Him.
AWESOME!!
Love
Julie

Dolores Ayotte said...

Yes Nikki...in His presence and with His presents of peace, hope and freedom!

Terri Tiffany said...

I love this song and I love that God let you stumble across it at just the right time:) He is awesome!

Saleslady371 said...

The presence of God is so amazing how our worries are minimized because He is so much larger than anything else. What an experience and breakthrough that you needed! Thank you for sharing this.

Ginny Hartzler said...

It seems that in your doubt, anger, and sorrow, God sent you a message in the context of the place you were at thee time and right where you were searching. Messages from him are there if we will just look, and you were strong enough and open enough to do just that!

Finding Pam said...

Be blessed Sarah and thank you for this post today.

Joan Hall said...

This is a beautiful song, Sarah. Thank you for sharing this today.

RCUBEs said...

Beautiful song! How neat that when you googled because of pain, you found yourself comforted instead! I think it's our nature to just blame God for whatever things that go wrong in our lives. I'm thankful that He lets us see other way around because He pours His awesome love into our hearts. His love that knows no bounds...

I'm gonna' use that "reindeer bookmark" in the pages of my Bible and know that you are being thought of with love and prayers SISTER! Thank you for always encouraging us! God bless and protect you and your precious girls! Please pray for me regarding my schedule change. I have comfort now knowing He truly wants the best for us. But I discern something from work that I know...I need prayers for protection. Sorry for the long comment :)

Anonymous said...

You are a total inspiration. I read this and felt I was running with you- in a way, I am. I love that you and I bumped into each other here! :)

Sandy said...

Thank you for sharing the beautiful story of your realization and this beautiful song, and thank you for your encouraging comments to me!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Dear Sarah,
You always minister to me, my friend. And you're right, In His Presence, it doesn't really matter! All that matters is Him! Thank you for reminding me that the more time I spend in His presence, the less there will be of me and the pain. Bless you!

Hugs,
Sandi

Vintagesouthernlife said...

This is a beautiful touching song. Thank you for sharing your story. You inspire us all.
Blessings,
Annette

Cindy Adkins said...

Dear Sarah,
Your wonderful, strong spirit shines through each of your posts...and isn't it amazing that when you went in search of that family name that you would find this song instead? I think it was a message meant especially for you....

And also, I'd like to say that I am glad you went to do the speaking thing even if it was for a few minutes...You have a big ministry ahead of you and God will give you the words and you will be needing to give your message and your audience will love it...Trust this from one who knows and enjoyed the experience of speaking immensely...When you have something so important to say, all fear goes out the window!!!! It becomes you and truth and your audience....what a blessing.
XO
Cindy

Amrita said...

praise God for the way H e worked in your life Sarah

Wanda's Wings said...

Oh this made me cry my eyes out. I feel I have some many unanswered questions. So much pain. Only He can help. Your life is such a blessing to me and so many others. Thank you again for sharing your heart.

Rosie Nixon Fluerty said...

Oh Sarah isn't God just so awesome in how He worked in your life and gave you that freedom and joy in your heart again.

(((Hugs and Blessings)))

Holly said...

We always have to remind ourselves when we are hurt by others... God gave us free agency and some people use it to cause others pain. I am relieved to know that He will make it all better for us in the end. I'm looking forward to that time. *sigh*
((HUGS)) Thanks for stopping by!

Julie said...

wonderful comment. Yes..the more we go and just sit and listen and talk and spend time with God...it soothes, gives peace, confidence, comfort, a quiet joy. One can't just walk away without a changed outlook. Or *maybe it's not sitting sometimes, maybe it is out running in nature and His own stage of Creation. :-)
Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed and felt joy that you had your deepest needs met by the words of special music. God supplied .

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I cannot imagine how hard it is to write a book, about your life? I do know that God does help, like this song
kim

Charlotte said...

A beautiful testimony and beautiful video. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Blessings,
Charlotte

MTJ said...

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for sharing this song. I'm not familiar with it or the artists; it's a lovely melodic song.

I'm glad that you have freedom from that ordeal. It's easy to try and offer reasons for why things occur, but I'll resist that urge. I'm really happy that we've met in this forum. I really enjoy the passion you communicate in writing.

Blessings and peace.

MTJ

Lisa notes... said...

Sarah,
The more you tell of your story, the more you continue to inspire. I really appreciate you very much.

I love the Mary Oliver quote about grace: I don’t always understand it exactly either, but I sure am thankful I have it!

Janis Van Keuren said...

In the presence of the Lord, such comfort and healing there. So grateful that you found the peace and healing you needed.
May the Lord continue to bless you, Sarah.

Blessings,
Janis

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Living in His presence changes everything. Your story is so important.
Blessings,
Lyn

highheeledlife said...

Thanks for sharing... though our traumatic experiences are different... as I try to sit in write my book ...I find that I procastinate to actually put words on paper...xo HHL

P.S. I have left something for you on my blog...xo

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

I'm glad that you found comfort in this beautiful song.I'm sure words cannot explain having to relive this in your mind while you were writing.
God Bless,
Ginger

Regina said...

"God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day."
Thank you for sharing you story. He will make all things beautiful in His time.
God bless Sarah.
xo
Regina

aspiritofsimplicity said...

What a great song. It's amazing how much music has the ability to help heal.

Just Be Real said...

Thank you Sarah for posting a wonderful song. Blessings to you dear one.

Velvet Over Steel said...

No, God didn't 'allow' it to happen. He gave man freewill and That is how bad things can happen. So sorry once again for what happened to you, Sarah, but so very very Proud of you!!!!!!! You are amazing and help so many with your willingness and courage to share your story. Love you sweet friend!!
HUGH HUG,
Coreen xoxoxoxo

Dee said...

Praise God for being with you and now working through you. I am so sorry this horrible thing happened to you. You are an amazing woman and strong in spirit. ♥

Lori Laws said...

Hi Sarah, I really miss your blog! You are so honest, and so on fire for God! I don't know how, but it's always when we're hurting, or when we're questioning something, He let's us hear or see something that will calm us AND will lead us back to Him. I love what you wrote...

"And in His presence...it didn't even matter anymore" - exactly. In His presence is where we belong! Good post!! Blessings to you :)