I love waking up in the morning and putting on a “Praise and Worship” CD. It seems to instantly calm my spirit and bring the presence of the Lord to the forefront before I allow my thoughts to wander to the things of the world that are not always nice to wander to.  When I used to work I always played a praise CD or a scripture CD on the way to work. It helped me to walk into a totally chaotic atmosphere with a lot of not very nice words being flung around like they were today’s “Good morning!”  But I knew God was with me and I even had some apologize for their words because they knew I was a Christian.  But what humbled me the most was when maybe one of these guys would come into my little cubbyhole of an office for advice about something going on in their lives.  In a large freight company with 100 drivers I heard many sad stories and I felt God had put me there perhaps for this purpose and that was to tell them where I got my strength to go through a pretty tragic life myself.  I even had a couple  joke around and say they were going to put a cross on my door and a sign that said Chaplain. It wasn’t a joke to me though. It was very sobering to me because it was no small thing for someone to ask for advice and I prayed that the Holy Spirit would give me the words and counsel for them.  I know that I am “not all that” and it frightens me in many ways to be used by God. I’ve often referred to myself as Moses because of my tendency to be a little timid so I needed that Praise music and scripture on the way to work to give me His strength for my day.

So as I go to beginning my day with some “Praise and Worship” music and scripture I would like to share the lyrics of one of my favorite songs called “You’ve Been Faithful”.  I praise him for his faithfulness when I have not always been faithful to him.

                                                                                 You’ve Been Faithful

In my moments of fear
Through every pain every tear
There’s a God whose been faithful to me
When my strength was all gone
When my heart had no song still in love
He’s proved faithful to me
Every word he’s promised is true
What I thought was impossible
I see my God do

He’s been faithful,
Faithful to me
Looking back his love and mercy I see
In my heart I have questioned your will
Even failed to believe yet,
He’s been faithful, faithful to me.

When my heart looked away
The many times I could not pray
Still my God, he was faithful to me
The days I spent so selfishly
Reaching out for what pleased me
Even then God was faithful to me
Ev’ry time I come back to him
He is waiting with open arms
And I see once again

Words and music by Carol Cymbalta, 1995 WORD INC.

Lord, you are a faithful awesome God and this morning I give you all the praise and glory.  Thank you for carrying me through the storms.  Amen