My Two Favorite Songs

Anyone who knows me knows me, knows I do not cry very often. However, there are several songs that either choke me up or actually bring tears every time I hear them. Here are my 2 favorites.
Third Day is my favorite band. I have all their CDs & have seen them in concert twice. I loved the song “Cry out to Jesus” the first time I heard it, but it was even more emotional to see them sing it in person in a packed stadium with the crowd singing along and raising their hands to worship. The song touches on issues of loss, addiction, marriage, & homelessness (I believe the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina inspired the song). Here are some of the words, “Cry Out To Jesus,” Words by Mac Powell: “There is hope for the helpless / Rest for the weary / Love for the broken heart /There is grace and forgiveness /Mercy and healing / He'll meet you wherever you are / Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus… When you’re lonely /And it feels like the whole world is falling on you / You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus / Cry to Jesus.” “He’ll meet you wherever you are.” That says so much. Jesus is willing to embrace us w/ open arms no matter what we are going through, where we’ve been, or what we’ve done. I cannot express enough that His love is so unconditional that we cannot even fathom the true depth of just how far it goes. No love of any human (or animal!) will ever come close to comparing to how much He loves every single person, no matter what.
The next song got me through the nightmare at the police department (part of the story was told in Oct. 17 & 18 if you need to see it). It truly kept me grounded & reminded me not to blame God, but to cling to Him. The song is “Praise You in This Storm,” sung by Casting Crowns. Here are some of those lyrics. Words by Mark Hall: “I was sure by now, God 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 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 / And I'll praise you in this storm / And I will lift my hands / For You are who You are / No matter where I am / And 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 lift my eyes unto the hills / Where does my help come from? / My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” Even when I’m angry or confused with God (as when facing Cosette’s illness & eventual death) I found that if I literally raised my hands during this song, that I felt peace. I’m getting choked up just typing this! Anyway, it’s amazing how praising God in spite of what we are facing will bring about hope even in what feels like a hopeless situation. And I love the honesty of the line “I was sure by now, God, You would have reached down… Stepped in and saved the day.” We often expect, almost demand God to fix things now, and he doesn’t always do so, or it may take a long time. What more can I say? Such a beautiful song and message.