Til the storm passes by....

This old hymn is one of my momma's favorites. I can remember her barely getting the first few words out and she'd start ballin' so bad she couldn't even sing. I remember as a child thinking that I didn't understand why she was so upset because there were no storms in our life. (or so I thought) Then I remember as a teen being mortified because she'd start ballin' and I would worry that everyone would THINK there was a storm when there wasn't. (again, or so I thought) I now know that there were storms RAGING around my mom. Storms in her heart, storms in her marriage, storms in our church, but she did her job to protect ME from them and for that I am ETERNALLY grateful. I got to grow up - for a time at least - not knowing why in the world that storm song got my momma so upset.

I wonder now, if I have done the same for my kids. Jimmy and I have been thru so many storms. Losing babies, losing my dad, losing my brother-in-law, losing our home, losing jobs. So many things. Too often I'm afraid I haven't sheltered them as much as I should have. Thinking it was best to be honest, maybe it was TMI for their little minds. God forgive me for that.

Another storm is brewing for us. One that will surely break their little hearts. We're going to have to move AGAIN. You see, we've finally moved into a neighborhood with lots of kids and they have friends over every day and there's someone for EACH of my little ones but now we have to move. The couple that owns the house we're renting has decided to sell and we can't, and don't want to buy it so here we are. So, once again, I get to break the bad news and watch the hurt on their sweet little faces. So guys, PLEASE pray for us. Pray that God will place us around other kids when we move and pray that I'll have the words that will make this as easy as possible. It KILLS me to have to do this to them again, but I know that God is in control and has a plan. Convincing my little ones is gonna be the tricky part.

Needless to say, I haven't told them yet, so if you're reading this and will come in contact with my kids I BEG YOU NOT to say anything to them. Just pray!! Thanks!

"In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face,
While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place.
'Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry,
Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Many times Satan whispered, "There is no need to try,
For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by"
But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise
Where the storms never darken the skies.

When the long night has ended and the storms come no more,
Let me stand in Thy presence on the bright peaceful shore;
In that land where the tempest, never comes, Lord, may I
Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more,
Till the clouds roll forever from the sky;
Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand,
Keep me safe till the storm passes by."