Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee

I grew up on a red hymnal with the words “Hymns of Faith” printed on the front.  And this song, Great is Thy Faithfulness, was always one I loved.  It is one I often sing to (a) at bedtime and one I always smile when I hear.  But I will admit, sometimes I forget just how true it is…

Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,

As Thou has been, Thou forever will be.

Change is not usually something I look forward to- I mean really, who does?!  But when change is not by choice, I realize how much it means to have an unchanging God.  Even when things don’t feel good, God is STILL Good.  Even when you are scared, God is STILL shining light on the next step (and I can’t lie- sometimes I would REALLY like to see the next 3-4 steps at a time, but that doesn’t always happen).  Even when you feel wounded, God is STILL compassionate and loving toward his children.  He often sends His people to show compassion and to bandage your wounds.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness,

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

I have always been a planner and a girl who is prepared.  Even as an elementary age girl I kept a calendar and a day planner complete with “important deadlines,” my social events, birthdays, and upcoming plans I did not want to chance missing.  I have been a list maker, and I always check it twice to make sure I am prepared.  My family can still tell you about the list from 1998 that I literally labeled at the top as “List of things for if I forget I should be SHOT!” (Hey- it was a hectic and important week in my 14-year-old life!)  That being said, when I lost control of the plan for my life I was immediately in a tail-spin.  But living day by day has allowed me to see something I often didn’t notice before… morning by morning new mercies I see.  When I am taking things day by day I am seeing each day’s mercies and blessings as beautiful gifts.  They have come in the form of cards, hugs, encouraging words, meals shared, childcare offered, seats saved, the grin and giggle of my little boy, and so many other precious blessings that I often would have overlooked if I wasn’t searching for them morning by morning. 

All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

And it is true… all I have needed, and then some.  God has shown us how graciously He provides.  In one particular situation in the last week we had been praying very specifically over our need and had ask God that, if He was willing, there were some details that were important to fall just a certain way.  We also asked a close circle of friends to pray specifically over those details as well.  Later that very day, (A) called to tell me the need had been met… down to EXACTLY every one of the details plus a tiny kick more.  Overwhelmed with gratitude my sweet hubby said to me, “I’m SHOCKED!” And through tears I told him, “I’m NOT.”  While I do NOT believe that God is a genie-in-a-bottle to grant all our wishes and requests, He continues to show my family that HE IS FAITHFUL.  And I knew that such a specific answer to prayer was a chance to remind us that He will provide.  Thank you, Lord… GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS.