I Listen to Music and Think Too Much

Sometimes in the evenings when everything is put away, after dinner is made, eaten, and cleaned up, and school work is done, I prefer not to watch the brain draining television, but to listen to music and relax. Some nights relaxation comes in the form of lying on my couch with a blanket reading a book, other nights it includes chats with friends in other parts of the world, and still on evenings like this one, I find myself just lying here; no book to read, to friends online to chat with, and no desire to do much of anything but exist and absorb the goodness of peace and quiet all while resting in the arms of my Savior.

As I lie here, the songs that are randomly playing on Pandora could not be more perfect; each one matching a current situation I am facing myself or walking through with a friend. I am overwhelmed by God's goodness, His mercy, and His perfect plan for my life and the lives of my friends. As I rest in His arms, I can't help but smile knowing that no matter what joys and trials experienced here on Earth, they are minuscule in comparison to the greatness of my God and the amazingness of my eternal home in heaven.


As "Even If" by Kutless played a while ago on the radio I couldn't help but think about JP (Juan Pedro) and the predicament he still finds himself in. He's been to doctor upon doctor, one specialist after another, yet still there has been no cure that can be done in Peru aside from prescribing more medicines which sustain his current health without really fixing anything. Last week my church was able to send $2000 to him, which was raised through the Martin's Coupon fundraiser and a night of prayer and praise benefit done at my church. We don't know what the next step is for JP. He has one doctor left in Peru that may be able to help, and if not his only other option would be to travel abroad to seek more advanced medical attention. "Even if the healing doesn't come, and life falls apart, and dreams are still undone, You are God You are good, Forever faithful One." Even if physical healing doesn't come to JP's body, we can rest in the fact that God is still God and He is faithful. His plan for JP's life is bigger than anything we as humans can comprehend.

A few songs later, I was overcome with joy, memories, and stress as I listened to "Este es mi Ano" by Tercer Cielo. This song was my theme song beginning 2012. However, the way I interpreted the song wasn't at all how my year turned out to be. In a lot of ways, this was my year. The Lord has worked overtime in my life, and I have grown so much in my faith this year. My trip to Peru was very different than any trip I'd ever taken, and I discovered a new kind of passion for missions and translating. Add to that a very different classroom dynamic this year which has been a blessing considering it's my last year at NPE (for a while), and I would say this has been a pretty amazing year. As the song translates, "This year will bring better things for me, and I am ready to live with passion and without fear. I will live an intense year because I will go in search of my dreams." In reality, I did live a very different kind of year with this song frequently playing in the back of my mind. However, rather than searching out my dream (of moving to Peru) I let it go. I taught myself to be content in the place the Lord has placed me, and for the first time in a long time, I have truly enjoyed living in the USA. Yet, just when I found my complacency here, the Lord opened the door to my dreams in a way I never would have imagined. I am thrilled to be moving to Peru in August of 2013!

Lastly, I was overcome by the song "You Are" by Colton Dixon. I've heard this song quite a few times on the radio in recent weeks; however, tonight it truly captured my attention like never before. " If I had no voice, if I had no tongue, I would dance for you like the rising sun. And when that day comes and I see your face, I will shout your endless glorious praise. You are the song I'm singing. You are the air I'm breathing." I pray that this song would be my lifestyle. I desire nothing more than to live like a fool for my Savior no matter who is watching. I want the Lord to be the song in my heart, the bounce in my step, and the joy of my smile. He is mine, and I am His and that is all that matters on this Earth.

Those are just a few of the songs that have captured my attention tonight. It seems as if every song that plays touches my heart. I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, despite my freezing fingers and toes (because I refuse to turn my heat above 62 or it runs all the time).

I'll leave you with just a few more lyrics that just came on the radio. 

The fullness of Your grace is here with me

The richness of Your beauty's all I see

The brightness of Your glory has arrived

In Your presence God, I'm completely satisfied

For You I sing I dance

Rejoice in this divine romance

Lift my heart and my hands

To show my love, to show my love

A deep deep flood, an Ocean flows from You

Of deep deep love, yeah it's filling up the room

Your innocent blood, has washed my guilty life

In Your presence God I'm completely satisfied