“What is going on mom?”…”What’s happening?”…“Pray! We are ok. Do not panic!”…”I’m about to cry this is so scary.”…“Hang in there! I love you!”

This is a series of text messages from one of my daughter’s from last week. We did not know when we left our home last Thursday that we would be faced with a lock down at our high school. A rumored gunman from a post on social media brought on the need for investigation. My heart wanted to be with my babies. I wanted to swoop in and hold them in my arms to keep them safe, but I couldn’t. I had to bring about a sense of peace to them even though I was shaking inside. What in the world is going on? Why does it feel like everywhere I turn the world is in complete chaos? People are turning on each other, lashing out in hate. Just turning on the news can leave me breathless and without hope for our lost and broken world.

All I could do was cry out to the only hope I had, JESUS! While I was locked in a fireproof vault with a grandad, 3 students, and 5 colleagues I silently prayed for His rescue. I asked Him to send His angels to superintend our needs, keep us safe and reach the heart of this hurting student. Our Administration Team blew me away with their swift and steady decisions. There was a sense of calm in the midst of the storm. The police arrived and were acting as a team with our administration and after a thorough search we were released safely back to our classrooms. I was going to be able to hold my girls again, kiss my husband again and continue to LIVE. Everyone in that school had experienced rescue…this is a reason to sing!

We went to church on Sunday as a family. As we stood to sing our Worship Leader introduced the next song to us. It was not one we usually sing. It prepared our hearts for the message we were about to hear, and the words were actual feelings that each of us in some season in our life have felt. “When the pieces seem too shattered to gather off the floor and all that really matters is that I can’t feel you anymore. I need a reason to sing, I need to know that you are holding the whole world in your hands, and I need a reason to sing.” I invite you to take a listen to this song today. Close your eyes and allow yourself to simply breathe. You have a reason to sing!

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:4-5 
Just as John was obedient to write down these words to be recorded for us, I write them to share them with you. I pray that you know Him, the one seated on the throne, The King of kings and Lord of lords. His words are trustworthy and true. He has overcome this world. He most certainly is still holding the whole world in His hands. This day that John describes is coming true. We will experience a Heavenly home, our true home, where there will be no more tears, death, mourning or pain. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait! What a day of rejoicing it will be. Friends, we DO have a REASON TO SING!  Keep holding on to faith! Press on towards the goal.  Keep trusting in Him who is faithful. He’s got us in the palm of His hands. #truth #gloryup