From the heart.....
MORE TIDBITS Part 2
And random thoughts

.....It was a cold and blustery evening, an evening you just want to sit on the couch and listen to Christmas music by the fire. But I eagerly awaited the time to go to see Handel's Messiah that my husband really wanted to go see and had been bugging me for weeks to go. I gave into his desires and he bought tickets on the Tuesday before the concert. What a submissive, Proverbs 31 women I am. It was going to be a family event, that is everyone except my older son Billy participated. Even Bill's cello teacher and his girlfriend joined us. What began as night fulfilling my wifely duties of unconditional love for my husband (plus sharing in his interests too) became a very memorable evening for me this Christmas season. So we get in the car on that cold evening and travel a far to the wonderful town hall. As we are waiting for Bills guests, who walks in is two of my favorite friends from CBS Cindi and Jeana.
What began as duty became one of those magnificent musical experiences. Now you need to know that this is coming from someone who adores contemporary music and still loves Hard Rock. And there wasn't even and electric guitar! What is with that?
As I sat and the musicians entered the stage, to my surprise Jill, walks on to risers. Another one of my favorite people. So now I figured if Jill is here we are in for a treat. And I don't mean the fantastic entree's she cooks. Although that would have been nice before hand.
What came next was unbelievable. You see I knew the choir would be good. The NSO was fantastic and the soloists were smooth and very captivating especially the base. You see I expected to hear music and be entertained, in fact I anticipated excellence of the art but what I didn't anticipate was the words I was hearing would captivate me, a God moment happens and I listen. The lyrics from Messiah are from Scripture and it gave me great insight into the birth, the life and resurrection of the Messiah. It left a lot up to filling in the blanks but in the booklet they gave us it talked about prophecy "He was wounded for our sins" Fullfillment in that He was born to die. Yes this tender, loving baby was born for a reason and purpose. And last but not least He was born to bring us Salvation. You see being out and about and always rushing around past the lighted houses and candy canes you tend to miss all these wonderful facts that were so brilliantly, and creatively portrayed in Messiah.
About halfway into the evening I no longer was there out of duty but out of a stark realization that this is the Messiah that died for my sins so that I can have eternal life. And then finally the song that I've sang and heard so many times played and everyone rose to their feet. And I can hear:
And He shall reign forever and ever
King of Kings, and Lord of lords,
Forever and ever
Hallelujah, hallelujah, Hallelujah.
And it was amazing with tears in my eyes I have been touched again by my God who is Soveriegn. It was a pleasure to share this moment with such special friends and of all places at the Norwalk town hall, and to be reminded that HE IS The KIng of Glory. Then the evening ended with Worthy is the Lamb. And I was reminded how worthy He Is and how unworthy I am but I am at His feet, I will worship Him forever and ever.

It has been amazing as I have cried and questioned God over and over again and complained to Him and whined. And all I really sensed from Him was WAIT, BE STill. My Grace is sufficient, I am enough. I felt like I wanted to just walk away from it all and I could have, but He was holding on tight to me the more I bucked. And then it hit me on how over the past week He was pouring out everything to me. And He did it on the Highway Tuesday morning again. I was driving and I removed my everyday CD's as of late for some Christmas CD's and last year I bought a new one to listen to. And it was from a secular Artist Jewel, the songs name is called "Face of Love". And the Chorus goes: "for I have seen the face of love, the GRACE of God. I started listening to it over and over and it was such a comfort. The verse that came to me again was "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! Which is in today's devotional reading I did today. Which is a verse that has hit me before. I am His child and He does care. I believe that with all my heart. Then out of nowhere this Truck passes me in Tuesday MORNING Rush hour traffic, while my lane is stopped. And on the side drivers door it said "Jacobs Trucking". But what made me read it closely was there also was three crosses on the door. And then the Verse Philippians 4:13 was under the crosses. And I know the verse by heart, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And because I know that verse so well because everyone always misquotes it like I'm doing now but I for some reason I was stuck on "through Christ". For the rest of that morning when I got home I just could not believe that I could be so encouraged by a truck sign. And then it happened I had this joy and peace and I still have it today and it was given to me by God. No one else. I have felt His amazing love and His presence. See below the words to that song.

Face of Love

Until Tonight
My heart was just half full
I'd never known the fruit which fed the soul
But now I see what may put to rest my longing

For I've seen, the face of love
The grace of God, the face of love

In silence I feared my heart
Would remain words unheard
Inside a separateness of skin
But now I know that the skin just veils the soul

For I have seen, the face of love
The Grace of God, the face of love

So take my hand and knowing
With it I also give my heart
Wanting never to be separate again
Let eternity begin

If you were flame
I'd allow myself to be consumed completely
Were you wind I would wish you pass through me
But now I know that the skin just veils the soul

For I have seen, the face of love
The grace of God, the face of love