Praise You In This Storm

We were able to spend Saturday and Sunday night in our motor home this weekend. It was so nice. Sometimes just lately I have forgotten what real *normal* feels like, but I was quickly reminded what my normal is like this morning....

At just before 6am my nephew called. I figured he was calling to tell me they were passing my way as they were leaving for Louisiana this morning. That wasn't the case....

He called to say something was wrong with my Mom, they thought she'd had a stroke. She couldn't talk, couldn't move, and they had called 911.

So I dressed and my daughter and I started the drive back, leaving Bobby and Ethan to get home with the motor home.

Jacob and I spoke again. He said they had trouble getting her to the stretcher since most house aren't made with that in mind. He said she kept saying over and over "my mama." Since she passed away in 1960 of a massive bleed in her brain, she was trying to tell everyone she was about to die just like her mama had (at the age of 39). She also managed make them understand that they needed to call me, my brother, and my Aunt.

I asked my nephew when he first called if they had checked her blood sugar, he didn't know. It was 20 and after some fluid she responded well. By the time I arrived she was acting much better and, in my mother's typical fashion, was worried that we had left camping too soon.

For a time this morning I thought it was all over. My world shifted on it's axis. I told my daughter if this was a stroke she had to understand that her precious "Granny" would probably not be able to pull out of it.

And to fill the silence only punctuated by our sniffles I turned on the radio. Casting Crowns was on...Isn't it funny how He always knows......

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:

There He was....bringing peace, bringing strength, just when I needed it most.

I reached my mother's side. and when we were alone for a moment she began to cry. She said if my nephew hadn't heard her she doesn't know what would have happened. And I pressed my lips to the warm skin on her forehead, and said "He's always right on time, isn't He, Mama?"

Through her tears she said, "Oh, yes, He is, He is..."

My Precious Savior, my closest friend, Always You see me, Always You provide. I lift up Your name tonight. I praise You, for You are worthy of my praise....