MOPS Moments: Eyes to See Sorrow

At Monday's MOPS meeting, our topic was "Eyes to See Sorrow." And while it may have been a heavy topic, the spirit in the room was so sweet and Jesus' presence was felt. I am so thankful to have the promise of His presence in the midst of sorrowful times.

In our devotional, the author described how music is often an encouragement to her during sorrowful times. As I read those words, I really identified with this concept. I've loved music from as early as I can remember - I love to sing, play instruments...it has always been a part of my life. A few years ago, though, I realized that God has often given me a song to hang on to during harder times to point me back to Him.

I remember this first happening while in college. A friend of mine, who knows the truth, decided to live her life her own way, instead of God's. It hit me really hard. It frustrated me and hurt me deeply. But one of the popular songs of the day was "Mighty to Save" - Even to this day, when I sing those words, I pray for friends that need to turn back to Christ.

Everyone needs compassion

A love that's never failing...

Savior, He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save...

He rose and conquered the grave

And when I remember that He conquered the grave, I know that He definitely has the power to change lives. 

When my Hudson was born unexpectedly at 33 weeks, my family was scared. (Part 1 and Part 2 of the story) I still have no memory of those days. And we weren't sure what the future held.

 But as I came back to being myself, I remember clinging to the words of the song "Our God is greater!" 

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

And He was and is greater than anything we experienced during that scary time. He healed me. He was stronger than we were. And even if things hadn't turned out perfectly, we knew that Our God was greater! 

A few years ago, I lost my Nanny rather suddenly. It wasn't fair and it didn't make sense. She was the life of the party. She was so much fun. She loved any chance to get with her family or talk about her family. She spent her entire week preparing for church on Sunday. 

She had been in a deep sleep for several days, and Hudson was awake one night around midnight. As I rocked him, I prayed for Nanny. The familiar words of "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" began to pour out of my mouth. A few minutes later, my dad called to tell me that Nanny was with Jesus. My mom and her brother had been singing to her "This is the day that the Lord hath made" when she opened her eyes and then went to Heaven. 

The next day was Sunday, and as we sang the song "Bless the Lord O my Soul" at church. it seemed to be so fitting for my Nanny. 

And on that day when my strength is failing

the end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing your praise unending

ten thousand years and then forevermore

Although the Lord may not use music in your times of sorrow like He does for me, He knows what you need. He may use encouraging friends, Scripture, nature, etc to minister to you. Regardless of the avenue, it reveals that He is near. It doesn't make the hard times go away, but it reminds me that I am not alone in the midst of them. 

"For the Lord your God is with you

He is mighty to save

He will take great delight in you

He will quiet you with His love

He will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

Our speaker for the day shared her heart so sweetly with us. I love that she pointed us back to the Word of God during hard times. And I love that she encouraged us to spend time in the Word now so that we are equipped when the hard times hit. "Time in the Word is never wasted." Here are her notes. 

I am so glad that the Lord knows us. He knows when we are hurting and He knows what we need. 

"Every trial becomes a platform." Kay Arthur