Overcomer

I don't know about you, but sometimes life  gets me a little down, and I need a little pick-me-up. Often for me, it's music.. music that speaks peace, hope, and truth. I am a lover of music, and I have very eclectic taste ranging from classical to hip hop. They all have their place and they all satisfy something in my soul. All good music is God's music, I say! :)

You know, we all have tough times. Hard things we have to deal with. I believe 100% in trying to find the good in every situation. I belief that the practice of gratitude is powerful. I believe that the practice of praising God for who He is is powerful. And sometimes, we need permission to just say how we feel.

We don't need to pretend everything is okay, and just repeat positive mantras or Bible verses all the time. I respect people who tell me that their life isn't moving along swimmingly, because sometimes (maybe most times!), it isn't. In this world we WILL have trouble...

Recently I read a post online where the writer gave everyone reading permission to state the pain they were going through in their life at that moment. No glossing over. No guilty "I shouldn't complain because xyz is going through worse things than I am" comments.  My first reaction was, really? Is that accomplishing anything? I read through the long list. I didn't add my own, but I could have! Then I realized something. This woman had offered a listening 'ear', a place for people to share their pain. And it was wonderful. It's healthy to name our troubles and the despair that sometimes accompanies them... the Psalms are full of naming troubles.

My mom is one of my heroes. She says things as they are, from her perspective, yet she is one of the most sensitive people I know.  She's in her late 70's , had a few health issues lately, and she's tired. She said, in her own sweet, but intense way, "Getting old sucks!", as only she could. I chuckled at the time. But.. that's truth. I think getting old(er) sucks, too, sometimes. And I respect my mom for saying so.

One of my favorite pastor's wives (from years ago) once said, in a difficult time in her life, "I hate my life". My pastor's wife! She shared how she was feeling.. from the gut. And I respected that a lot.

I am learning to feel my pain and not to hide it. Of course, a safe place is necessary when sharing.

Mandisa is a new favorite of mine. This video is full of joy and hope. Try to listen to it without moving and humming along (and maybe shedding a few tears!). Bet you can't!

(If the video doesn't show, check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8VoUYtx0kw)