Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:23:41 -0800WeeblyTue, 04 Jan 2011 11:03:51 -0800http://www.charis-music.com/3/post/2011/01/praise-can-bring-you-out.htmlAfter my Mom went to live with Jesus in July of 2010, my singing
group “Charis” had several dates booked to sing. I wondered how on earth I was going to sing and praise and worship God and keep myself together when my whole heart was crushed. She was my biggest supporter, my biggest fan and most of all a proud Momma. She encouraged me to go and sing all I could because she knew it was something that I always wanted to do with my life. She was at every singing possible, sitting out there smiling at me with such joy in her eyes. (Even when she thought I looked like Lucille Ball banging on my drum!)

After her passing there were times I didn’t want to sing…I didn’t feel like singing, but had to remind myself that the one thing that I knew could bring me through these hard times was my Praise. I would struggle at times during rehearsals but would push thru it and do what I knew I was called to do. I learned from a dear friend that no matter what we are going through, no matter what our circumstance, praise can bring you out of it. And that’s what I did. Every time I sang, I would praise with all I had. I would sing to my Saviour which I knew my Mom was right there by His side.

One night in particular that seemed more difficult than others was a  night in  Hueytown, AL. It was a full concert, the first since my Mom’s passing. My sister and her family were in attendance as was my dear Father. In rehearsal, I had moments where I couldn’t sing and couldn’t get my composure at times but I reminded myself that God would be glorified through my praise and I had to keep that thought in my head. We had a great time of praise and worship although I had to keep my eyes away from the row where my family was seated.

At the end of the evening, I’ll never forget the words my sister said to me. She is a very soft hearted, emotional, kind soul….as she hugged me with tears all over her face, she said to me “Your Momma would’ve been so proud!”. I hugged her for a minute and responded, “I know she is”. I felt it and I still feel it every time I sing.

I write this just to say that I am a living testimony that Praise can bring you through anything… at anytime…. no matter what the circumstance or how hopeless you feel your life is. My Mother was my best friend, my rock, my shoulder to cry on, my advice giver, and my encourager. She was everything I could possibly need and now that she’s not here anymore, I sometimes feel lost.  But God shows me daily that Praise is the way through it all. My praise gives me power over the grief and the hurt and it gives me hope.

A friend told me after one of our singing engagements that they were proud of me for praising my way through it. I guess that is when I truly realized that was what was helping me the most.

Praise is one of our most powerful spiritual weapons. Choose to use it daily, for whatever you need it for. Our praise releases the presence of God Himself. What could be better than that to have with you at any time????

Tracy Strickland]]>