Music Monday: “Raise Your Hands” by Heather Sorensen
By: Debbie waltz
As I write this blog post, it’s almost unbelievable that Christmas is only two short weeks away. The time has flown by so quickly. It’s not surprising, though, considering how hectic my family’s schedule has been throughout the past month. Knowing the rest of December will be packed with festive activities and outings; we frantically put up the Christmas lights before the month begins. Not only that, but Mom is determined to finish the final edits on my book before sending it to my writing coach for a final review; she’s meticulously checking every sentence, lost in a world of commas and semicolons. She hopes this will make it easier for editors when we find the right publisher and start “shopping” the manuscript around to potential publishers. (Yes, I hesitated to write this sooner because it doesn’t feel real to call it completed. I thought I’d feel different.)
Then there’s my dad. As if playing the role of part-time caregiver for me isn’t enough, he works full-time and teaches a class at a local Christian college. Over the last several weeks, he’s struggled to complete the last teaching semester. As much as he enjoys mentoring his students, the grading causes the most stress. To top it all, my dad recently got involved in our neighborhood’s homeowners Association as their treasurer.
Last week provided a welcome opportunity for all of us to pause our demanding schedules and travel to Ohio to celebrate for an early Christmas. Along with attending the party, we also try to attend our favorite restaurants popular in that state. These franchises (Skyway and Village’s Chicken) have not only been favorites growing up traveling the 6 hours from our home in Maryland to visit both parents’ families. Now that both sets of parents are gone, the holidays look quite different. No longer are we greeted with a plate of homemade cookies after our long drive into the wintry cold state. These cookies not only commemorated the start of the season for us, but reminded us that someone special waited to welcome us after the drive. Then there was driving up to my grandmom’s (from my mom’s side) brightly decorated mobile home trailer.
As much as we try to keep the tradition of these Christmas parties alive, it’s not the same. We’ll always have vacant places at the table for the loved ones who’ve passed, a poignant reminder that this earth isn’t our permanent dwelling. Christmas is a miraculous reminder of Jesus’ earthly mission: his death on the cross, a selfless act of love that saves us from sin and offers eternal life. Does this mean things will always be easy? No. John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world. (Christian Standard Bible.) But he does promise his people that they will never be alone.
Like the disciples, many people wonder how this is possible since Jesus plans to return to the Father once he finishes his mission. John 14: 26 reminds us, “But the Counselor the Holy Spirit whom the Father, will send in my name, will teach you all the things and remind you of everything I have told you.” (Christian Standard Bible.) As Christians, our hope should be focused on our spiritual condition. Though everything outside of us may change or fall away, one thing remains constant- God.
Heather Sorensen’s song “Raise Your Hands” reminds us we should be thankful to God in every season of our lives. After all, God made everything and it isn’t ours in the first place. James 1:17 says “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (NIV) For those of you who are grieving loved ones or wishing for something more, please seek comfort in Christ. He will give you whatever you need. Check out Isaiah 9:6 for more names of God.
Heather Sorensen’s song can be accessed here: