Can you believe that 2013 is already more than half over? (Or if you are more of a glass-half-full kinda person… We have another half a year to go in 2013!)
No matter how you say it… It’s been a wild ride.
As you might remember back at the beginning of January when I shared with you my “One Word” for 2013… STAND. In the last 6-plus months, it’s been really interesting to watch God make that word real in my life.
Now, don’t get me wrong– it’s not been an exceptionally rough or necessarily “bad” 6 months… It’s just been… Intense.
In the first half of 2013, I was in my first car accident (totaled my poor LadyBug Vibe,) we survived some sticky leadership situations with my Beloved’s job as a drill sergeant, had our first baby and most recently moved 3000 miles cross-country with an infant.
Yep. Intense is a good way to sum it up.
Through all of these events, God has helped me to stand… Stand firm in the faith when others tried to tear us down, stand in His presence when I questioned my abilities as a new mama, stand fast and persevere through a season of drastic life change.
And I couldn’t be more thankful for it all.
As I was pondering this One Word update post, the country music band Rascal Flatts popped into my head. Now, they aren’t necessarily “Christian” singers (since they are classified as country) but I recalled a couple of songs that dealt with my word for 2013.
I would like to share those with you today.
The first one comes from the perspective of me, as the daughter of Christ, wife of Brandon, mama to Charis and <hopefully> minister to you 🙂  It’s appropriately called “STAND.” (The lyrics are posted below for your viewing reference.)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Vzpjv_kR4?rel=0]
You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless
Like you’ve lost your fight
But you’ll be alright, you’ll be alright
[Chorus:]
Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you’re made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause its all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you’ve had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you Stand, Then you stand
Life’s like a novel
With the end ripped out
The edge of a canyon
With only one way down
Take what you’re given before its gone
Start holding on, keep holding on
Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you’re made of
You might bend till you break
Cause it’s all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you’ve had enough
You get mad, you get strong
Wipe your hands, shake it off
Then you stand, then you stand
Everytime you get up
And get back in the race
One more small piece of you
Starts to fall into place
This next song, also from Rascal Flatts, makes me think of how God has been there, by our side through this whirlwind season of change, helping us to stand firm in the faith. Here’s “I Won’t Let Go.”
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fqPcnuVPR8?rel=0]
It’s like a storm
That cuts a path
It breaks your will
It feels like that
You think you’re lost
But you’re not lost on your own
you’re not alone
I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
If you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won’t let go
It hurts my heart
To see you cry
I know it’s dark
This part of life
Oh it finds us all
And we’re too small
To stop the rain
Oh but when it rains
I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won’t let you fall
Don’t be afraid to fall
I’m right here to catch you
I won’t let you down
It won’t get you down
you’re gonna make it
Yeah I know you can make it
Cause I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
And I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won’t let go
Oh I’m gonna hold you
And I won’t let go
Won’t let you go
No I won’t
So yes, my friends… That’s how 2013 is shaping up for us… It’s been a crazy season, but one that has been very blessed. We are so thankful that God is with us, helping us to STAND every step of the way!
Standing firm for Him,
SGK
“I will declare that your love STANDS firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.” ~Psalm 89:2
PS: Do you have a “word” for 2013? How is it playing out in your life this year? Let me know by leaving a comment below! 🙂
