This is good... but it does not do justice to what it's like in person. With the lights flashing back and forth... AWE - SOME!
If you remember the post I wrote about going to see Chris Tomlin in concert last summer, then you know that I LOVE his concerts!
J and I have been to quite a few. Pretty much every time he comes CLOSE to us - we go.
We went last summer, then to a Christmas Concert (Sweets got to go to that one), then to one in the Spring, and we're going again on Saturday! I can not wait! And Sweetpea is going to that one, too! She was rather miffed that she was left out in the spring... so she's going! After all, she likes him, too!
And she should. His song, How Great is Our God, was playing as she was born into this world.
We thought it was just perfect. She shows us every day just how Great our God is.
And nothing has changed that. Not even when our baby was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
So, Chris Tomlin and his music has always held a special place in our hearts.
I meant to blog about the Spring concert... but life happened. Crazy life. A trip to DC to advocate for JDRF. A birthday. A bad low and hospitalization. A gala - where we spoke and raised funds for JDRF.
And somehow... it never got blogged.
But I want to tell you about that night.
We took some DEAR friends of ours to the concert with us. And J convinced one of his brothers to go, too. We had GREAT seats. Fourth row. Center. And it was as amazing as ever. We loved not just being there, but getting to see it through the eyes of our friends and family.
The concert was a little over an hour away. It was in the evening. So we decided to leave Sweets with Gaga and Mimi. She stays with them every day after school. So this should be easy, right?
More on that in minute....
The name of the tour is And If Our God is For Us... It's the song above. And when I first heard it... then heard it live at Christmas... and then again in the Spring... the lyrics just really spoke to me.
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
What can stand against?
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God…
Like I said, life had been CrAzY. We had been running somewhat nonstop. Working. Advocating for diabetes awareness. Blogging. Speaking. LIVING with D. And more was to come... We just didn't know it yet.
Hearing those lyrics was like getting rejuvenated.
NOTHING can stop us from advocating for our kids and ourselves.
NOTHING dare stand against us.
Because OUR GOD is stronger. He is greater. He is higher. He is more powerful.
He is a HEALER.
You know, I spend so much time advocating for the CURE and for education about Type 1.
Sometimes it can feel like beating my head into a wall. Or like nailing jello to a tree. And I wonder... what am I doing? Is it all for nothing? Do I even make a difference? Will anyone listen? Will anyone care?
Back to that night...
So we arrived home after 11pm. But is our sweet girl in bed? Nope.
She IS asleep. On the couch. Curled up next to Gaga.
They had started the bedtime routine. Gaga was going to lay down next to her in her bed - just like Mommy and Daddy do. But she was having NONE of it.
She panicked. Mom said it was like she had a panic attack.
She REFUSED to go to bed. She got all upset. Hot. Sweaty. Crying.
She wanted to wait up on us.
She wouldn't even lay down on the couch.
Mom said it was like she was scared. Really scared. She said that it was like Sweets thought that they knew enough to SORT OF take care of her (I mean - they do this every afternoon after preschool... I never imagined there would be a problem) - but not TOTALLY.
Not at night.
And I realized that we had never been away from her at bedtime since before diagnosis.
So with the lyrics were still running through my head, I stood there looking at my sweet girl who was too afraid to go to bed without us at home - because of diabetes.
Another break in my already broken heart.
But it made it very clear to me... all the work, the speeches, the advocacy, the blogs, the fundraising - it's all worth it. Because SHE is worth it.
And I won't let myself be discouraged.
Because I believe that our God is for us.
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stand against us?
UGH...to think of her being scared. Joe used to be a bit nervous if I wasn't always by his side. He isn't any longer. I think it was when he turned 6-ish that he started to feel more "safe" in all situations.
ReplyDeleteYou make a difference. Your blog makes a difference. You lift us up. Thank you for that.
I love both those songs!
ReplyDeleteI pray every night that God will heal my son. I know God hears. If His answer is no to diabetes - I know He has and is healing the emotional wounds in both mine and my sons hearts that dealing with diabetes causes. And that's plenty of grace to get thru the next day.
Thanks for sharing!
Oh, Hallie, poor Sweets! My Kate is like that...when she was on Lantus I was the only one who could give it to her. The first (and so far only) night she spent at the g'parents, she finally remembered to take her lantus 3 hours late and gave it to herself, because she didn't want anyone else to do it. (and yes, all instructions were written down...don't know what happened there)
ReplyDeleteSo true! We have our own advocate...God!
ReplyDeleteIt is a heartbreaking story, but it shows that our children NEED us...depend on us. And because of this we will always be dependable.
She is so fortunate to have you. There is so much love in her life, she will be ok!
Love, love, love Chris Tomlin too! I always love to look back and see how God prepares us ahead of time for what is about to happen. He rejuvenated you with his strength before you came home to such a sad scene. I can look back and see so many ways he prepared me before Joyful Monkey's diagnosis. So grateful for a God who is greater than Diabetes!
ReplyDeleteNo one, Hallie. No One could ever stand against us.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget that. If He's allowed this to happen, it's for a reason. I wouldn't know you or anyone else here if it wasn't for this D thing bringing us together. I think we need to learn to lean on others, to let others help us.
I'm so thankful she has you-God made you PERFECT for Sweets. Bless her heart-she was worried. BUT, keep going out-she needs to know you guys have a strong marriage and that she'll be okay. And you got so see Chris Tomlin-he is awesome! : )
What a marvelous marvelous message and post, Hallie. Thank you so much for sharing this song and those inspiring lyrics, which touch the soul - especially in times like you describe that must be so heart-breaking. God bless you and J, and of course Ave. Love you all.
ReplyDelete