Today I woke up and had my sweet time with Papa.
It is the 7th anniversary of my dad’s passing. Just as years past He comforts me with an overwhelming presence and feeling of love. I read through all my old post about my dad and the things I’ve learned since He left this temporary place.
When I got in my car to take Lyssy to school at 6:30, instead of listening to an album I looked up a song to play to start my day that reminds me of the season of losing my dad. It’s called, “Better Life.” After we listened to it Lyssy played a couple songs before I dropped her off.
When I got in my car to drive to work since it wasn’t playing an album a random song from all my hundreds of downloaded songs began playing and it immediately brought tears to my eyes. It’s a country song and if you knew my dad you know his passion was country music. He was a country music disc jockey for a good amount of time.
The song that came on was called “Beer With Jesus…” a country song that I love. I immediately felt God giving that to me. In the song he talks about asking Jesus if his mom and daddy were alright and if it’s not too much trouble to tell them he said hi. That got me.
But aside from that, the “whole” meaning of the song touches my heart.
As if that wasn’t enough the next song to come on was a Christian song that I love called “Steady Heart.” I listened to the words and let them sink in. Papa began speaking to me about my life.
I had to sit in my car for a bit before walking into work and let all the warmth of His love settle in my heart. He orchestrated those RANDOM songs to speak to me on this special day.
I mentioned how this never ever happens because I’m ALWAYS listening to an album but today it just “happened.”
After work I ran into the grocery store for some things and as I started driving home “Raise A Hallelujah” came on this time. My car was still “shuffling” music. I hadn’t heard this song in ages and one of the main verses says, “death is defeated the King is alive!”
Realizing this too was a gift from Papa I was singing, shouting at the top of my lungs, and crying driving down 1488.
His faithfulness to me leaves me undone. And it never stops. It’s like sitting under a waterfall. He just never stops pouring out love.
I text my daughter and told her that the Holy Spirit was my dj today.
I got to talk to my brother this evening which doesn’t happen nearly enough but is always so special.
Then as I was washing my face for bed Mike was setting his alarm with his country music to wake him and the old country song, “Seein My Father In Me” was blaring.
My heart lept in my chest. I couldn’t believe it.
I was trying to explain to my family what God had been doing all day but it’s like trying to tell someone about your crazy dream. They just don’t get the depth of what your saying or feeling.
After that I made a beeline to my bookshelf to pull out my 7 year old Through The Eyes Of A Lion. I’ve read it countless times but it’s been ages since I’ve picked it up. I wanted to intentionally open it up and read at least a paragraph before going to bed in honor of this day and all that God has done for me.
My kitty Sunday (which was adopted on the very day, a Sunday, that my daddy died) was ready to lay on my lap in bed which rarely happens because she wakes me up if I allow her in my room at bedtime. Tonight it just seemed fitting for her to be on me.
I opened my book to a random page to read at least a nugget before going to bed. I opened to the very page, a page with no bookmark or anything holding its place, page 52 with the verse and story of the verse that literally tattooed me.
I had it tattooed on my hip a few years ago.
I sat with Sunday on my lap and my book in my hand in disbelief and awe.
It doesn’t get better than this…
Except that when I was swiping out of Instagram and Levi Lusko popped up before swiping up and he was speaking about what comforted him when his Lenya passed away was a verse when Jesus said, “Today, YOU WILL be with me in Paradise.”
Our Creator who created the moon and stars aligns the details of our everyday lives to communicate His love for us and to lead us. After writing this and when I close my eyes, I am feeling more loved than ever.
Thank you, Papa. You have my whole heart.
Eyes Of A Lion 