Wednesday, May 4, 2005

Blessed Be Your Name

A couple of months ago we found out that friends of ours are pregnant with their second child. Shortly thereafter, they found out that he has a birth defect that will result in death either while in utero, or shortly after birth. Their strength throughout this time has been a blessing and encouragement to many. When I talked to my friend about how she was doing, she ended up in encouraging me. She said that initially they were praying that the Lord would end the pregnancy, so that they wouldn't have to go through the pain of carrying the baby to term and then losing him. But in our conversation she said to me that we all only have our children for a time, and so they just are thankful for any time they have with this little one, if it's just for the 9 months of pregnancy, or even a few moments beyond.

When we sing this song in church, I think of them, of my own parents as they struggle with my dad having cancer, and of my own life-- will I be able to say "Blessed be the name of the Lord" on "the road marked with suffering"?

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Oh, There's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to stay
Well Blessed be your name

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