It takes quite a while, perhaps a lifetime for The Work of God in a person’s life to unfold or rather be evident to the person and even then, we grasp – seeing things only dimly (1 Corinthians 13:12). I am grateful for the grasping that I get to do and the holding that my God Alone does. I want to see you Lord in All circumstances, the way You see it. Continue to work in me The Holy Spirit, The Way, The Truth, The Life. Thank you for continually moving me out and permanently residing where You please.

This latest God story from only a couple weeks ago goes deep and always in hindsight, I can hardly believe the direction God’s path directs. I’ve always been a singer since birth, according to my mom. But throughout my childhood and teen years I don’t recall the Joy of it. I was too busy partaking in other things that suited my fancy. If there’s no purpose or why, then what’s the point? Even if there is a purpose or a vision but the foundation isn’t Christ – it’s all short lived anyway. Believe me, I’ve tried to make everything awesome and long lasting on my own. We are all pretty good at it, until God reveals that way sucks and leads only to death.

In April 2020 I went to my bookshelf and saw “Hymns of Grace” – a book I had bought only a year prior at Grace Community Church. I thirsted to know what all these songs were so I could sing them. God quenched my thirst immediately “Sing them”. Well absolutely, I can surely search the song and sing to You, I would love that! So I invited my kids for that homeschool year to join me everyday to learn a hymn and sing to Him. We started Friday April 24, 2020 with instructions from God to put dates of when the songs are sung. With scriptures intertwined in between the songs, I looked at the end of the book and saw that there were 445 numbers so after a year and a half we will have sung them all I thought. Well that year, though my hardest spiritual battle, singing with my kids brought Joy, Adoration and Peace from my all consuming Savior. Days where I would pick up the book to sing with tears in my eyes, strictly walking in obedience knowing without a doubt that He is worthy of All Praise. I have no idea how it affected my kids – except they could see my dependence which for a self-sufficient someone like me – it was quite bizarre and I just had to lean on faith given in much measure by my Father. By the time February 2021 came, the book was laid down for a bit only to pick it back up again in July. Another year of spiritual battles, July 26th was when I got up singing again only this time I felt defeated. I closed the book again after only a few days until Christmas 2021. “This is for you Rachel, keep singing.” I just couldn’t. It was too much “crazy”. If you have never looked crazy In Christ, well it’s not fun. The believer already struggles with doubt and to have others look at you the same way you already “feel” well, it’s just too much. I asked God multiple times to take away my faith in vain to “keep the peace”. He wouldn’t listen, but kept whispering “Be up singing”. I thought, this is crazy pants. Tell me more Lord – “Stay” was the message whispered from His Spirit. So on Sept 2, 2022, another year of horrific spiritual battles, I (just me) picked up the songbook to sing 2 songs a day and I never put it away until I finished the last page on Monday Feb 6, 2023 (only a few months before we were moving to Texas). It was bittersweet to finish, God knew I wanted to keep singing constantly and I did only without the book in hand. Jesus, thank you for making me able and The Holy Spirit Willing!

Life In Christ is unlike any other, Truth be told, there is no other life. It is an obedient allegiance to The Creator, The King of kings but which no one can see so without The Awakening of His Holy Spirit making your dead self Alive, it’s hard to believe it yourself. Doubters can raise a hallelujah. Christians have made such a mockery of God in their attempts to religiously boast, that it makes me want to vomit. What high horse do you have? I look around and I see none. There’s nothing I own, Only Christ owns me.

Now that the backstory has been able to be somewhat articulated by God’s Grace. The story from a couple weeks ago was even more precious! I’m tending to my family in town and enjoying great conversation, great food. I was in “clean up kitchen mode” after a scrumptious breakfast. I happened to look at my phone real quick, very rare will I answer a phone call when I am visiting with others – but for God’s perfect reasons I answered the call coming in from my friend. She says, “I was calling to see if you would sing a song with me I have been singing all morning”. (Already I couldn’t believe I didn’t say, let me call you back in a little bit) But Without any hesitation (To God be The Glory), I said “yes, let’s do it, I may not know the song though”. She says, “I just texted you the words”. Oh wow, you did, awesome. As I looked at the text, my heart leapt! “Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty, early in the morning my song shall rise to Thee.” So I walked into my office, shut the door and we started singing together acapella.

Unbeknownst to me a miraculous GMS order came thru within 2 min of us singing. Gary walks by my office with the glass doors and saw and heard me singing. I get off the call and Gary comes in “did you hear?” What? “We just got a huge order so I thought that’s why you were singing.”
Wow, no idea about that, we were just praising The Lord in humble adoration for what He has already done. 

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5

This same friend picked up this used songbook for me for Christmas and mailed it to me. When I opened it, my heart leapt! So Christmas eve and Christmas morning I opened it up and sang praises to my God and King. Praise God for His Holy Spirit and The Gift of Christ Jesus for which we have every reason to SING!

“Let The Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the Name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God The Father through Him.” Colossians 3:16-17

Blessed Be His Name!

Sing continually not so we could change God’s mind, but because He Alone is worthy, so that we could partake and give Glory in what He has already done and what He was already planning to reveal. So that we could see His Faithful Love as we simply walked with Him.

Joyfully His.