“Get Our Hopes Up (Lance’s Prayer)”
Click Here to Listen: 110610_get_our_hopes_up
This week, I want to bring back a share and a prayer from days past…
This song was written for a friend a nearly a year and a half ago when he and his loved ones were alerted suddenly with a tumor in his brain. Although he and his family worked through the challenge with grace and acceptance of the adversity – unlike I’ve ever seen before – our friend’s earthly life came to an end last Friday, April 13th. Although his physical being parted ways with this world and his trying path, he remained 100% of The Spirit throughout – as he still is!
I’m not sure what made me believe I would be blessed with such a vision on Easter Sunday, but as I was honored to lead in hymn at the Sunrise Service for my local community, I somehow thought surely I would be greeted with his presence along the hillside. As the traditional readings were read from The Good Book, I looked up to the heavens and smiled as an “L” shaped cloud formation came to rest above the body of believers. Sure, to some it might be a stretch of the imagination, but for me it was inspiration as He and The Risen Lord showed up that morning.
The next day on my commute to work, I captured an image (pictured above) in the sky that lies above where he and his wife did resided together, and I saw this river of light flowing from the clouds to begin leading my friend homeward to his heavenly resting place.
I can’t say the interactions with my friend were many, but I can honestly admit they were quality, unlike many who occupy our time and days at length. And to think, if a good life is more about quality than quantity, then I believe he lived the full as God intended him to in his earthly mission and he completed his duration to the day. Hearing of what he accomplished and the attitude in which he achieved is proof of this valuable characteristic. If you wish to visit his family’s shares of their journey, you too will experience a connection to something you can only define as “divine”. You can go there at www.iwouldratherbeflyfishing.com
As I have offered his wisdom with many before, I most recently detailed in this way to a friend:
One time, he told me something that I believe was THE BEST relay of the essence of love in this life that I will possibly ever hear.
Being a fisherman himself, he wanted to make something for his nephews to teach them how to fish so he could watch how happy it made them.
How I understand this is; he wanted to use HIS GIFT to MAKE/CREATE something/A GIFT for SOMEONE ELSE to TEACH them HOW TO DO something so he could APPRECIATE their JOY!!
These same characteristics should probably be present whatever we do in life:
OUR GIFT(S)
CREATE
GIVE
TEACH
MAKE HAPPY
APPRECIATE
Enough said, with this song of hope that maybe did not result with the human desire to still have him around, the Spirit of the intention does not return vain. I continue the prayer with all who read and listen for strength and peace for those who remain close to him.
You are blessed my friend, Lance. Rest well and enjoy your new adventure!!!
“Get Our Hopes Up (Lance’s Prayer)” Revisited from 11/06/10
Loving through life
In seasons of ups and downs
Hills lifting light songs to heavens
And white waters crying profound
Do we give up tonight
Or move far as the east is to west
Let The Reign wash away all our pain
And trust in our God who knows best
We lift Our Head high
As we’re up for adventure
It’s time to get our hopes up
Time for healing inside
If we keep giving, keep living
And living by giving
We will surely reach the other side
With our hopes up, we get our hopes up and fly
Loving through life
No need to ask “why”
Or feel sorry for our “self” now
We’ll sing with this mountain of changes
Our voice will make us stronger somehow
So we lay down this life
And live with today – what is real
Where compassion is giving, and giving is praise
And by God’s good praises we’re healed
We lift Our Head high
As we’re up for adventure
It’s time to get our hopes up
Time for healing inside
If we keep giving, keep living
And living by giving
We will surely reach the other side
With our hopes up, we get our hopes up and fly
Loving through life
See that day as if it were already here
Take on each challenge ‘til then without fear
Sometimes we’ll fall when we’re learning to fly
We’ll spread our wings again and head for the sky
It’s time to get our hopes up
Time for healing inside
If we keep giving, keep living
And living by giving
We will surely reach the other side
With our hopes up, we get our hopes up and fly
Loving through life
Help someone over their mountain
Help someone cross their sea
Help someone with our compassion
And we’ll find eternity
Loving through life…
By: Jeff, with hopeful mementoes from my friend’s family.
Psalm 103: 1-14 | Luke 12: 13-21, 31-35
