What A Friend

Today I sat watching Tricia Yearwood's cooking show. It's interesting how watching her cook and listening to her stories gives me the warm fuzzy feeling. However,  I ended the 30 minutes in tears, as God used this simple, sweet cooking show to remind me of His abundant, boundless love. To remind me that He is my friend and shepherd.   At the end of her Thanksgiving show, she and her family rallied around the family room, guitars in hands and offered up sweet voices. On the other side of the screen, God whispered to me in a still, small voice the reminder of who He is and that He is always near. He know my heart and He hears my prayers.

At that moment, I was reminded how thankful I am that my mom and dad raised me going to church and that we sang hymns. In church we often sang the hymn they closed the show with today. Additionally, it was a song I used to play over and over on my brother's plug in organ. I'm thankful those words would be hidden in my heart all these years and now as an adult they would have deeper meaning. I listened and silently made this my prayer today as I lay my burdens at His feet. Burdens He never intended I carry. I pray I will never opt to carry the burdens and forfeit the peace He offers.

What A Friend We Have in Jesus

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.