Most late Sunday afternoons find us slow driving somewhere between here and there.
Church and brunch and naps complete, we leisurely head down the back roads and sandy paths where we are assured of a slower pace, a quieter vista, less hustle and bustle than the crazymaking Route 6 which defines the Cape's major roadway.
Sometimes a familiar destination beckons, but oft' there's no clear plan in mind as we randomly wander where the Spirit seems to lead, wondering what might pop up 'round the next bend.
On our most recent chocolate milkshake fueled Sabbath interlude, every mile mattered, for Nichole Nordeman's soul soothing music accompanied our rather aimless wandering.
This one's for all the wayward journeyers, the impatient wanderers, the stubborn ones who veered off course. Here's to all the weary travelers, the victorious survivors, the one with griefs still too great to bear.
Dove award winner, deliverer of 7 Top 5 radio singles, Nichole Nordeman is back with a message we all need to embrace as our own ... Every Mile Mattered.
She reflects ...
'These songs have been working their way into my heart for years, long before they were bound by lyric or melody. They are mile markers. Places I've been. Things I've seen, and maybe see a little differently now. Every mile on the road mattered. The endless miles of God's mercy and goodness. Every bump and bruise. The long stretches I'd rather erase. The journey really does change us, or should, anyway. I hope these songs offer grace to any traveler who stumbles into them.'
And all I can think of is this ...
'And we know thatall things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose {Romans 8:28}.
'And we know that
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I'm more than happy to have a copy of Nichole's brand new Every Mile Mattered CD to gift to 1 random commenter. Yay! Please share your own meaningful mile or two in the comments section of this post by Friday, July 21st at 9 am {eastern}, continental USA only, please.
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sharing Nicole with Holley
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Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
Wow I am the first commenter, maybe that will bring me luck, only kidding. Love the title to the song, Every Mile Matters, it speaks volumes.
ReplyDeleteI do believe you've set a new record around here - kicking off the discussion in just 11 minutes, Betty!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm glad you're here.
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I've been struggling physically (as you know from being hit by a car) and await surgery. I have had my moments of frustration with God and this morning, as the pain has been greater than I think any other morning, I cried out for relief. It didn't come. Least not in the way I wanted it to. It came in this: "God puts me in hard moments when i cry out for His comfort so that my heart become tender to those near me who need the same comfort." Ouch! That's my current mile. While I'm not a fan of Nicole's style, my wife loves listening to her. :)
ReplyDeleteHeavenly Father, wrap your strong arms around Your beloved servant. Assure him of your love and concern. Bring strength and ease his pain as he walks into today. Please do more than we can ask or imagine in his body and soul.
DeleteHe loves you so.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
I'm a backroads kind of girl, Linda, though they are scarce down here. In a few weeks we'll be in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina where we'll enjoy some tree-lined winding roads to fill our senses with more of God's creation. No doubt there will be a variety of music as our traveling companion. Thanks for giving a glimpse into your meanderings.
ReplyDeleteAh, the Smokies! Can't wait to travel vicariously through you in the weeks ahead, Debby! I just know you're going to be capturing some fabulous shots ...
DeleteThank you so much, Linda. This song loosened the tears that were under the surface. This weary traveler can't thank you enough! Big Hugs! And prayers for you as I know there has been bumps and bruises along the way for you, too.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about tears needing to be 'loosened,' Trudy! We've all been there, done that, haven't we. May a good cry, time with the Lord, and some good old fashioned writing restore your soul.
DeleteYes, some of the miles have been excruciatingly long and arduous, and others have been mile-markers, but each time, I've known God is with me, and I keep on going. I'd love this CD, but I think Bill needs it more than I do!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Linda!
Yeah, Bill should be a shoe-in for this. Oh so deserving. Talk about every mile mattering, huh?
DeleteMay the Lord bring him healing ...
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI can testify that every mile has mattered in my life. Do I relish some of the things I've had to go through? No, but without them, I would not be the person that I am. I don't think I would have near the compassion for others that I do had I not walked some scary and lonely roads. The good, the bad, and the ugly - it all makes me who I am and who God needs to use for His purposes! Love Nichole Nordeman (and you too) :)
Blessings,
Bev xx
You speak so clearly of the truth of one of my favorite passages of Scripture, Bev - 2 Corinthians 1:3-5:
Delete'Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.'
Like you, I've seen God use the worst of times for His glory and the benefit of others. Yet I can't imagine surviving some of those treacherous paths yet one more time.
He gives us grace when we need it ... praise His name.
Sounds like a good one! There's nothing like good, godly music to help a girl walk right into worship.
ReplyDelete'Walk right into worship.'
DeleteI love that image, Kristi!
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LOVE this song! Thanks for sharing! Been thinking about this very thing lately and considering writing about it!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, My Friend!
Can't wait to read the wisdom you'll share, Lulu ...
DeleteSorry to be so late to the conversation. It was not a good day, at all.
ReplyDeleteThinking about the message of this post (and the lovely song), I was drawn to another point of view...I used to be a runner, and did 7-10 miles every single day that I could...holidays included. I never counted all the miles, and I didn't do it for a runner's high. I did it because staying in shape was necessary.
And the medical experts said that it's one of the main reasons I have gone four years past my sell-by date. The level of fitness I had gave me a very long way to fall.
Every mile I ran...every mile mattered.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/07/your-dying-spouse-338-stronger-than-god.html
mmm ... 'sell-by date'
DeleteA little gallows humor. I've never heard it expressed quite that way before.
And as always, you've taught us something important with your observations, Andrew, that being physically fit has played a big part in keeping you going, keeping you focused on the prize, kept you from giving in.
There's so much in life we have no control over. That we choose to take control of what we can is something to aspire to.
I hope I will be as brave as you if / when I enter that season, friend.
But I'm not quite sure I will.
Lovely!! Especially love the photo as well. Did you take it?
ReplyDeletePexels.com
DeleteYay!
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