“You Raise Me up”

I found out today that my best friends daughter had to come home early from serving her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We also had a young man in our ward that also had to return early. Both of them were due to health issues. What a trial that is to go through. I think of my trials and now put them into a different perspective. These young people were willing to give up up to 2 years of their life to serve their Savior and were faced with the difficult thing of having to go home. And they both handled it with what I feel is the grace of a grown adult. My friends daughter was obviously sad, but knew there was something bigger than her and she said this in her letter to her friends and family….”God is SOOO good. All the time. God knows you, he knows your trials, your triumphs and every little detail of your life. He is there for you and always will be.” It just really put my life into perspective. It’s not to say that burdens were any less, because we all bear our burdens differently, but it put it into a spiritual perspective. I spent too much of my life with my eyes pointed in the wrong direction. I didn’t have my eyes on God. I didn’t ask Him enough for help. I spent so much of my life unhappy because I was seeking worldly answers for spiritual problems.

I was scanning through facebook and came across the offical music video for “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban.

When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

Josh Groban “You Raise Me Up”

I listened to that song about 5 times. On top of it just being a beautiful song, the lyrics really spoke to me. My feelings on what the lyrics mean may be different that what he feels, but isn’t that the beauty of music. That we get to make our own interpretation on it and how it made us feel. When I read these lyrics I can see myself sitting and waiting for God to come sit next to me and put his arm around me and just be there in silence. No words needed. I liken this to being in a silent place and praying. Praying for the comfort that we desire during hard times. I wasn’t doing that. I wasn’t turning to the Lord when times were tough. I know that He was watching over me just waiting for me to ask for His help and once I did I felt peace. No, my problems didn’t disappear, but I had the strength to endure my trials and they didn’t seem so bad.

I implore anyone that is reading this and if you are struggling with life and not turning to the Lord to ask for His help, then do it. Do it right now! He wants to be there for you and help you. This song also reminds me of my favorite poem, Footprints. That poem is a reminder that He is always there and even when we feel all alone He is there! I don’t care what religion you are, just turn to God and He will get you through it.