You know that song “10,000 Reasons”? I love it, but one part gets me every time:
That line gets me because most evenings I’m not singing. Really, most evenings I’m done trying to hold myself together. And plenty of evenings I’ve already crumbled.
When the evening comes, I’ve refereed sibling arguments while cooking dinner. I’ve been disappointed by people I love dearly. I’ve answered the same questions multiple times. I’ve been frustrated with those hard-to-love people in my life. I’ve been challenged and encouraged and failed in a matter of minutes.
But whatever may pass, whatever lies before me, God wants me to be singing. {Tweet that.}
I’m not patient, naturally. But I know that’s what God is working on in my life. He wants me to see people as he sees them. He wants me to remember my kids are watching me. He wants me to know him more so I can be more like him.
My husband and I had a hard conversation this weekend. It was one of those that started with one frustration I was having and overflowed into other related struggles. The conversation ended with him encouraging me to have a different perspective.
Y’all, adjusting my perspective is hard. And, really, I was at a loss of how to even begin. And then just two nights later during our small group, a wise friend said, “When we change what we think, we can change how we act.”
God answered the question I’d been holding onto. He reminded me he’s working here – beginning in my soul and overflowing into my home and my relationships.
The following night – three nights from when Greg and I stayed up too late discussing some hard parts of life – my daughter wandered out of bed a couple hours after we had tucked her in. “Is Jesus coming back tomorrow?” she asked us sincerely.
The three of us talked about how the Bible tells us we don’t know when Jesus is coming back but he is one day. We talked about how God tells us not to worry about tomorrow because he’s already there.
“He knows my whole life, doesn’t he?” Cate asked.
“Yes, and we’re so glad he knew you would be our daughter,” Greg told her.
We talked some about salvation and baptism and what being a Christian looks like. We talked about how we can’t do anything other than believe to become a Christian, but that when we do decide to follow Jesus there is a responsibility to love and serve others.
When Cate walked back upstairs, I could tell she was more at peace than when she came down 10 minutes earlier. Greg and I were reminded that despite our imperfections, God is working here in our family.
That hard conversation with my husband. The unsolicited advice from my friend. The unexpected conversation with my daughter. Those are reasons to keep on singing.
I add them to my #choosingJOY list on my phone and glance at others :: 148. Listening to music with Greg while driving home with the kids sleeping. 149. Kids’ excitement over passports. 150. Sky High Sports. 151. Songs and sermons that convict and encourage at the same time. 152. Doughnuts. 153. All four of us falling back asleep in our bed on Sunday morning. 154. Seeing God bring people and visions together.
I’m also linking up with Lyli Dunbar’s Thought-Provoking Thursday.
Want more insights? “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family” is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’, or subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.”
Kristin, Yes!! There are always reasons in our day for us to keep singing. I have a little Nicole C. Mullen playing at this very moment 🙂 May we be like David who instructed his soul to praise God. Music, worship & singing may not change our circumstances, but ohhhh, it sure does change us. May we keep singing today!
Great song! It's one of my favorites. I always start my day listening and singing to worship music in my car while taking my son to school. By the time I pick him up, my day has usually been sidetracked and I'm no longer singing. I can completely relate to you here, Kristin. I love the idea of a choosing joy phone note. I always learn such awesome uses for the notes app from you :). I still haven't started my kids memories one yet!
I love how God interjects a child who needs some peace (and gets it) in the middle of a discussion. It's as if He is saying, "Keep singing, I got this! Yes, you have frustration, but keep singing, I got this!" Blessings!
Oh, sweet friend, I just loved this so much. We are in the midst of some hard stuff but there are still so many reasons to keep on singing. xoxo
Yes…I sat in my minivan just yesterday, listening to this EXACT song, stopping at that EXACT phrase. Tears streaming down, running from point A to point B to pickup C D and E. Yet, the challenges have come so thick lately. Yet with each step of faith, God is working BIG time…giving me even more reason to keep my passion, this vision He has for my life alive. Your post, for me, was like His deep embrace this morning. Thank you!!!
Kristin, I'm so glad God has everything under control. Oftentimes, many times in my case, we don't have all the answers. His answers are so much better than anything we could ever hope or imagine. He knits everything together so perfectly, it is amazing to look back and see it all fit together. Thank you for the link up.
I love your transparent posts Kristin- they give us freedom to live real and to patient as we grow.:)
I LOVE this song too!
Uhhh yeah about that evening thing… You are not alone there, sister! It is hard to be "long suffering" and truth be told, I don't do it well! But like you, I am working on it-and God is faithful-SO faithful! 🙂 Thanks for sharing you heart! 🙂
Well shoot, I thought that image was gonna be a thumbnail for my post… UGGG EMBARASSING!! Delete it if you can!! haaaaa!
Thanks for sharing what God is doing in your soul, in your family, in you and the reminder to keep on singing ! i love you friend
Thanks for being here with kind words, sweet lady!
Praise God for his faithfulness – and your fun picture! 🙂 Thanks for being here, Christy!
So much truth packed in it.
I'm glad, Katie, because I wonder about them … 🙂 But this is me processing life. Glad you're along for the ride!
So perfectly. Glad you're here, Kim!
So glad you found comfort and encouragement here. We are not in this alone, friend. xoxo
You've been on my mind. Your faith amazes me. Love you dearly.
Yes and amen. Thanks for being here, Kathleen!
Oh, yes, those things and people that side track. I know about those! 🙂 I love listening to Christian music in the car because it draws me back to what matters. What can I say – I like my iPhone. I don't use a ton of apps, but that Notes section is full! (Another related tip: I have my Notes back up automatically to my email account. So if something happens to the phone, they're saved in my gmail account.)
Yes – I want to embrace that praise like David did. Love your presence here with such encouragement!
Kristin I love this post because it reveals your willingness to share right where you are. Thanks for that. It's a gift and it makes the rest of us feel welcomed in this space. Love it when we sing that song at church too!
I sat down yesterday a little unsure of what I was going to write. I had what seemed like disjointed thoughts in my head. It's amazing how God uses that writing time to shape my thoughts. I'm glad you're encouraged and at home here. I like you being here.
Love that song and love your words. I'm not patient naturally, either (is anyone naturally patient? I want to meet them!) and God doesn't make me patient, He just gives me opportunity after opportunity to exercise it. It would be so much easier if He just zapped us into compliance – but you are so right – He is working that fruit into our lives to grow us more like Him and more dependent on Him in the process. He is working on us – thankfully He is the most patient of all!
Amen! So glad you're here, Tiffany, with more sweet encouragement.
it's like we're thinking the same thoughts Kristin. 🙂
God's good like that. 🙂 I loved your post this week – good encouragement for me!
I love that song and love your thoughts to accompany it. 10,000 reasons – may we never quit singing.
I'm glad you're here, Mindy!
I love this! My birthday verse is Ephesians 5:19 — may we keep speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, & spiritual songs! Thanks for the lovely post & for hosting, & God bless!
Love that, Laurie! Thanks for being here!
We sang this song in church tonight. Thought of you.
I love this whole album — one of my favorites.
Hope you are having a great weekend. xo
It is a good one, that's for sure! Thanks for your faithful encouragement.