Multitude Monday---counting my blessings

I love this song. I have loved it for four years. Everytime I hear it, I get a lump in my throat or I just cry because of the emotions it draws out of me. Read it, look it up and LISTEN to it. It is helping me count my blessings today, a day early.


"Stained Glass Masquerade"

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

101. the tears. I'm so thankful for tears. my tears, her tears, all tears. tears in church, tears brought to the surface by words of praise. washing our souls, revealing our naked hearts and needs to God, willingly.

102. I'm thankful for people who live "real". People who don' t live by habits or expected performances. People who hurt and fail and aren't afraid to say so. People who trust God and know failure is what drives us to Him.

103. I'm thankful for people who recite Bible verses when they offer advice, when it is appropriate.

104. I was deeply affected by a facebook post that said, "it this biblebook now?" referring to people who quote bible verses or put spiritual messages on their status updates. It made me thankful for the stranger who did it and apparently offended my "friend". We can read concert updates, meanness updates, whiney updates, poor me updates...why not PRAISE GOD updates? Stranger, I'm thankful for you!

105. I'm thankful for car rides with kids and the conversations that spontaneously erupt.

106. .....and for my kids. Yes, i've counted them before, but this is a new day and I feel the thankfulness in a new way.

107. for lemon pie yogurt. YUM.

108-110. for the familiar flecks and lines in my daughter's blue eyes. For the familiar markings on her face and the smell of her skin. For the fact that she still needs me that close when she is sick and I still get to see that face so up close.

111. for our new daughter/sister. for the hope of healing and for believing in miracles. for God guiding this decision and giving affirmation so many times.

I'm thankful. Thankful feels good in my heart and mind. Thankful feels right. I like when thankfulness comes by force as it is today. I'm thankful for REAL LIFE that stops me in my tracks and makes me feel heartbeats instead of plasticness. I'm thankful.....