I worked late tonight. It’s been a long day at the start of what promises to be a long week. I said goodnight to my coworker and flopped into the car, breathing a heavy sigh as I turned on the ignition and backed out of my parking space.
The radio was on but I wasn’t really listening. I was already thinking about what I had to do when I got home if I had any hopes of getting to bed early.
Then a word caught my attention – Afghanistan.
The man calling in to make a request was in Afghanistan and he wanted to hear a song. I’m not going to pretend to know how that happened or if the show was pre-recorded or what.
Like the DJ, I thought that I soldier charged with protecting supply lines would want to hear something a little more hardcore. Skillet? Thousand Foot Krutch?
But he asked for Casting Crowns‘ Praise You In This Storm. It gets the guys through the day, he says. They’ve had a lot of losses recently and the song helps.
To be honest, I’ve kind of tired of the song. It seemed like every time I turned on the radio it was playing. This time was different. This time the DJ said goodbye to the soldier on the other end of the phone – the soldier half a world away fighting a war that’s gone on for a decade. This time the song became an anthem, a prayer, a whirlwind of thoughts.
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
God, I was sure by now you would have reached down and brought these men and women home. You can do that. Bring us peace …
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining
Raining bullets and danger on soldiers who are doing their job but desperately want to see their families again …
As the thunder rolls
As the IED explodes and the crowds shout insults …
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
So much taken away … so many friends … lost … yet you are there … and here …
And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
On an Afghani mountainside or in a too-silent house on a military base
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
Lord, my day seems so simple, so easy when I think about what this soldier faced today. But I know you’re walking me through the mundane steps of my day just as you are guiding him through the valley of the shadow of death. I’m sorry that I forget about that. May your peace settle in our hearts tonight and may peace be realized in your creation. Amen.
Tammie, this is awesome and reflects my heart for this situation. My heart breaks for their tremendous price our servicemen and their families must pay for this battle against senseless terror. They deserve our persistent prayer and highest honor.