Introspection

Sometimes God has to "knock me upside the head" and that's what he did this weekend. It started with gaining a different perspective on some things, then a song that I've heard a million times in church spoke to me in a new way. It's hard to be thrown for a loop but the results are well worth it. Seeing the bigger picture often involves introspection:

in·tro·spec·tion /ˌɪntrəˈspɛkʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-truh-spek-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. observation or examination of one's own mental and emotional state, mental processes, etc.; the act of looking within oneself.
2. the tendency or disposition to do this.

And believe me, it is not easy! I didn't like what I saw. It's so much easier to look at others and see where they need to change or move up the road. With God's help I want to see others as He sees them. Here are the words to the song that was made new to me this past Sunday, may God use it to speak to your soul the way He spoke to mine:

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.B
e still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Keeping still before God (Psalm 46:10),
~Nate's Mom