I will choose to say...

I have been really lifted up lately by hearing a bunch of songs that have significance. Sunday at Willow was the one with the refrain, "I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, He calls me friend." That was soothing. Yesterday on the radio, it was "God of Wonders". I could easily picture Laurie singing that at Blast and Student Impact with her eyes closed, worshipping God.

Then later on the radio, again, the song with the line "He gives and takes away, He gives and takes away, yet I will choose to say, 'Blessed be the Lord' " That's what I choose.

Last night was our final Grief Support for this session. We were asked to bring a picture and memento of our loved one. Chris asked me to bring the big poster of Laurie that was at the funeral and wake where she is making that goofy face. Some may have thought it out of place, but actually I thought it was a great way to remind us of the laughter she could create. And music, again. One of the members of my small group there, turns out to be an opera trained singer and he brought us each a CD of old spirituals he had recorded. I listened to it on the way home and appreciated another style of worship.

But right now the biggest musical blessing has been a rough cut CD made for us that Laurie's former piano teacher, Cindy Beier, has recorded. The song is titled "Good bye For Now." Cindy was experiencing the loss of two friends in one week and this song came out of that. The word pictures she has created in this song fill me with hope. Cindy has her CD release concert coming July 30 at Christ Community Church in St. Charles. She asked permission to do this song there along with some photos/video of La and Cindy's other friend. What an honor for us! I am hoping to eventually put the song on Laurie's website along with a few changes Greg and I are talking about doing there.

So bottom line, I will choose to say, Blessed be the Lord.