Last Friday we had the privilege of seeing our oldest son Matthew graduate from USMC boot camp in Parris Island, SC. This was the culmination of nearly 13 weeks of intense and often grueling training, during which time the only means of communication between us and our son was through "snail-mail" (the U.S. postal system). No phone calls, e-mail, facebook, or Skype - just handwritten letters. Not being able to talk with our son was one of the most difficult aspects of our separation during this training time. At times Matthew's letters had a touch of humor; sometimes they expressed real discouragement and anxiety. In each and every letter, Matthew expressed his continuing need for prayer.
So, like I said, we were thrilled to be reunited with Matthew at his graduation from boot camp, and to bring him home with us for the Thanksgiving holiday. Soon into our long drive home (almost a thousand miles), Matthew asked if he could use my iPod to play some songs over the van speakers. The first song he played was "I Know You're There," by Casting Crowns. The words of the chorus are as follows:
I know You're there,
I know You see me;
You're the air I breathe,
You are the ground beneath me;
I know You're there,
I know You hear me;
I can find You anywhere,
I know You're there.
Matthew said that he thought of this song all the time as he was going through training. Many other Christian songs came to mind as well. This surprised me, as Matthew did not listen primarily to Christian music throughout his high school years, even right up until the time he left for boot camp. Once in a blue moon he would listen to such songs, but in most cases he heard them when we (his mother and I) played listened to them in the house or car.
So I asked Matthew, "Did you remember all the lyrics to this song and the others?" "Yes," he replied. I thought this was really odd, since I had listened to these songs far more than Matthew yet couldn't remember many of the lyrics. Matthew shared that he was equally amazed at this; he wondered how on earth he remembered all the words.
We concluded that the Lord brought them to mind, and that this was in response to the prayers of so many that Matthew would be reminded of, and feel a keen sense of, God's presence throughout his time of training. In his loneliest, most difficult hours, Matthew's heart was renewed and strengthened through the song quoted above, plus the following song entitled "God Will Lift Up Your Head":
Give to the wind your fear
Hope and be undismayed
God hears your sighs and counts your tears
God will lift up, God will lift up, lift up your head.
Through waves and clouds and storms
He gently clears the way
Wait, because in His time, so shall this night
Soon end in joy, soon end in joy,
soon end in joy, soon end in joy.
God will lift up your head.
God will lift up your head.
God will lift up your head.
The above song is based on Psalm 3, wherein David describes God's protection, faithfulness, and encouragement in the face of insurmountable difficulties. Despite his overwhelming circumstances, David testified, "But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head (Psalm 3:3).
How good it is to know that God is always there for us, His children. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5), and He has made good on that promise. His Spirit brings to mind such promises and renews our heart as He fills it. What an amazing thing it is also to see the connection between being filled with the Spirit and making melody in our hearts to the Lord (see Eph. 5:18-20).
So much more could be said, but I'll stop here and thank the Lord once again for His abiding presence and for answered prayer. May we all rejoice in these wonderful truths this Thanksgiving season as well as through each and every day.