Mommyhood Adventures

God has funny ways of getting my attention… like “random” songs :)

Landon & I were in the car this morning on our way to Sams Club. I normally just turn on the Sirius Christian station “The Message,” but since I had my ipod with me, I decided to see what Landon wanted to listen to. Kids music? No. Psalty? No. Oldies? No. Well, since nothing is going to get a Yes today, I decided to put my ipod on the Genius playlist (something I don’t think I’ve ever done in the car), just to see what would come up. Well, don’t you know that the very first song was “The Closer I get to the Cross” by Palisade. If you have not heard this song before, I highly suggest you go to itunes and listen to the minute long clip - it’s definitely worth your time. I would even suggest paying the .99 to have it in your playlist, but that’s just my opinion ; )

I have to be honest, the first few lines I sang mindlessly, not even paying attention to the words. But then, I heard the words of the chorus “The closer I get to the cross, the more I clearly see The holiness of You and the sinfulness in me.” OUCH! Ok God, you’ve got my attention now! I’ve listened to this song hundreds of times and I promise that this is the first time this song has hit me like this. You see, my Pastor, Phil, has been teaching on Sin and God’s holiness the past few weeks. It was like it suddenly all came together and it was an awesome moment of “Wow! I totally get it now!”

Thank you, God, for using “random” things, like my ipod’s Genius playlist and the words of a faithful pastor to speak to my heart. I hope that this song is an encouragement to you as it has been to me!

Carrie

ps…This video is of one of the original writers, Johnny Lemonis singing this song. I really like his version too : )

The Closer I Get to the Cross (Scott Krippayne/John Lemonis/Tony Wood) Lyrics:

Verse 1 There is safety in the distance where it’s out of sight and mind, Where life is unexamined for fear of what I’ll find. And once again in solitude, my soul is unfulfilled, But I press through the crowd and step toward the hill.

Chorus The closer I get to the cross, the more I clearly see The holiness of You and the sinfulness in me. There’s a beauty in the agony that draws me to this place. The closer I get to the cross, the more amazed I am by grace.

Verse 2 There are times I want to turn my head so I don’t have to face the truth Of everything You’ve done for me and what I’ve done to You. But here my eyes are opened and it breaks my heart to know Just how deep the roots of all my failures grow.

Chorus The closer I get to the cross, the more I clearly see The holiness of You and the sinfulness in me. There’s a beauty in the agony that draws me to this place. The closer I get to the cross, the more amazed I am by grace.

Bridge Draw me nearer, nearer, Blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died. Draw me nearer, nearer, Blessed Lord, to Thy precious bleeding side.

Chorus The closer I get to the cross, the more I clearly see The holiness of You and the sinfulness in me. There’s a beauty in the agony that draws me to this place.  The closer I get to the cross, The closer I get to the cross, The closer I get to the cross, The more amazed I am by grace.