Safe Place - Kevin Boese
I cannot live beyond Your reach
You hold me in Your arms of peace
My world may suffer war
But You have proven Your control
I'll never be alone
Your my safe place
You cannot be moved, You cannot be shaken
Your my safe place
You stand in the storm, You are my defense
Your my safe place
The first day I met Nate (April 2005) he led us in this song during worship and then Steve Klassen led us through my favorite passage in the bible, Isaiah 43 which says,
"Fear not for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name and you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned... Do not be afraid, for I am with you"
I connected that day the words from the song to the concept of belonging to God and Him being in control. Sometimes when I felt overwhelmed and worried (mostly about school) Nate would pull out his guitar and often he would sing this song to me.
Micah recently learned this "stand in the storm" song. He sang it for us a few times in the last weeks before our trip to Calgary.
When they got me out of the car after the accident, I was led to the other side of the road and treated for shock. As I lay on the gravel my mind struggled to find peace. I had no idea how everyone else in the car was - I was SO scared and my thoughts were overtaking my physical body. I kept asking so many questions to those around me. Is Nate okay? Is Elissa okay? Did Doug get out of the car? What happened? Do you know Jesus? We love Jesus. Can you sing to me? Can you keep talking to me?
I don't remember all the responses but I do remember trying to pray on my own. I kept saying Jesus' name. At one point Micah's voice came into my head singing this "stand in the storm" song - and so in my quiet whispered tears I began to sing this song to myself and to Jesus - claiming His control and ownership of Doug, Elissa, Baby Toews, Nate and my life.
Listening to these words again today - I feel some of the same fears and unknowns I felt that day. I have no answers. Nothing makes sense. But I do know that I belong to Jesus. "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name and YOU ARE MINE."
He is my safe place. While I feel confused, while I feel alone and while I ache. He is my safe place. He stands in the storm. I belong to Him.
40 comments:
Rosanna,
You will never, EVER be alone.*
Cyndy
We are praying for you as you keep clinging to your Safe Place.
Your honesty in this post has moved me to overwhelming tears Rosanna. It means so much for you to share this journey and I want desperately to give you a huge hug. I was also listening to this song today as I ate my lunch and as I listened, and the tears streamed down, I thought of you and prayed for you. God IS your safe place and He will stand in the storm for you. Keep clinging to him...
Much love,
Bonnie
This glorious Hope and Promise is ours...hold on tight, Rosanna.
The Friesen's
Thank you for sharing from your heart. You have written some very powerful words. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Rosanna.
Brenda and Reid
Rosanna
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and words today - they bring tears to my eyes. Your love for music has been evident in your life - and i've loved that about you - always a song for every and any word. May God continue to use music to bring healing and comfort to your life. UN ABRAZO!!
love you,
Jen
Rosanna,
My heart continues to break for you as I search for my own reasoning as to why something like this would happen to you! All I can say is I hope and pray and our God will sustain you. I know that everybody says it - but you ARE in my thoughts and prayers daily! May these next steps in your journey be filled with support and love! I would LOVE to see you sometime!
jimandchristina@hotmail.com
Much love my friend,
Christina
You don't know me Rosanna but I have found your blog through some others. I just wanted you to know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers in the last while. I admire your strength and your strong faith in God. May God Bless you and be near to you.
You are so strong in holding onto your Rock. I can honestly say that I don't know if I would be as strong as you if I were ever in your situation. You are truly an inspiration to me and we have never met! Continue to hold strong...if God brings us to it, he'll bring us through it! Continually praying for you!
Hi Rosanna, you don't know me, but I read Jamie's blog. You and your family have been in my prayers over the past few weeks. I am encouraged by your steadfast faith. Keep clinging to the Father - He is holding you close as you cling to him.
Kara
i have tears rolling down my cheeks as i see the pictures of 4 amazing miracles in your life - and hopefully a strong source of joy right now.
and as i hear you describe how you tried to find your safe place in your most panicked moments. i've thought often about how you must have felt and what must have been running through your head. i've prayed stillness over those memories...and will continue to.
i keep listening to Nate's service because of the impact that all of the songs sung have had on me.i asked Jamie for the sheet music to some of them today...and Safe Place is one that has been in my head ever since i heard it for the first time from Nate's service.
What an incredible song, what an incredible promise.
May you cling to that truth. and please know that there are so many of us that are here for you and still praying daily for you.
lots of love...
Rosanna,
I don't believe you know me but we both attend South Abbotsford Church. I have been blessed by the wonderful gift that God gave Nate in bringing the family of believers together in worship. Please know that you are continually lifted in my prayers as you continue to journey home.....
Rosanna I love you. I'm praying for you.
Jaimie
Amazing purely amazing what a courageous women of God you are.
We've never met, but I've often been moved to tears since hearing of your loss. My husband went to school with Nate, and one summer(2005) as I was working at Redberry Bible Camp, I had the privilege of meeting the Toews boys.
I just want to thank you for sharing what you're going through. You're steady faith through this is so encouraging. Press on.
I too, like Janelle, have prayed that the terrible memories you have of "that day" would not haunt you, but now I realize that part of that is remembering the feeling of Jesus carrying you. I pray that the nightmares will go away, but that you will never forget how you cried out to Jesus. What beautiful words you have shared, Rosanna.
Rosanna,
As the tears blur my eyes again, I'm reminded that I've had this song in my head off and on for days now. Every time I started humming it I would pray for you, pray for Jesus to whisper in your ear...Just yesterday I was using the knife that you gave us for a wedding present and was singing it to Lucas.
I will continue to pray as you continue to cling. May you find your honesty and vulnerability healing.
Rosanna....Not a day goes by Im not thinking and praying for you. Love from calgary.
My stomach clenches and my heart aches as you open up to us a sliver of what you were going through during the accident. I know your days are unknown now and I pray that this song and others will continue to be a comfort for you. I love you Rosanna - you are not far from my thoughts or prayers. I continue to ask God to give you strength and comfort during your days now. I love you so much and you can imagine me giving you a super-hug as you read this. I hope that as you continue to share that you will find healing. You are loved and held up by many.
I love you Rosanna....tons and tons and tons!
through all of this, you have been a real encourgament to all of us. Your strength and your honesty can only come from our heavenly father. Praise him for the way he is useing you.
We continue to pray....Jamie is going to have to get Micah to record his song singing for all of us to hear.
Jesus, be so near to Rosanna today.
Carry her today.
you are precious.
love kari
dear Rosanna- how powerful are those songs of comfort, which have always filled you. I am so thankful for the times when your songs have comforted me. I pray that the many songs of joy that Nate and you so often sang will not be far. I love you so much, Rosanna, and I praise God that He is your stronghold. You are so loved.
christina
I don't know you but I am so glad that you have Jesus to hang on to .
Rosanna, thanks for sharing this song; it has been on my mind almost constantly since the funeral. may those words be your truth and comfort these days.
your courage and perspective through this has been amazing.
Rosanna, I continue to think of you and pray for you. We have a picture of you and Nate on our computer desktop to remind us. I'm glad that you have a safe place with Jesus where you can be comforted and held. May He whisper tender words of promise and love into Your heart all day today.
Peace Be Still,
Michelle Santschi
Rosanna,
Last week, Daniel saw Nate's picture. I explained that Nate is in heaven with Jesus. From that conversation I was able to talk to Daniel about how "good" and "naughty" people can get to heaven. On his own, he went into the living room and prayed that Jesus would forgive his sins so he can go to heaven as well. I'm not sure how much he understood but I'm thankful for the opportunity to talk about such a life changing decision with him.
We are praying for you as God continues to heal you.
Love & prayers,
Leanne
I'm sorry I haven't been able to comment our internet has been unavailable!
I miss you today and just wish I could give you a big hug and that Aiden could have a windy road trip with Auntie Rosanna!
love you so much and my tears are shed alongside of yours!
You are still such an ecnouragment to me! We love you so much!
Aunt Ruth
Rosanna,
I am amazed at your transparency and trust in the Lord. I realize I have never commented on your blog before, so consider this my de-blogstalking, but I want you to know how moved and encouraged I am by your steadfast trust in only Him. I am inspired. I am honestly moved beyond words. I do hope you were able to read the post I wrote about you and Nate a few posts back. Just so you know, you are constantly in my prayers and I want to encourage you to keep holding onto the Lord so tightly because I'm sure there are moments when you feel your grip slide. You are such an amazing example. I am awed by the awesome woman God has created in you.
Amen, Rose. He is your safe place and I will continue to pray that he meets you where you are at today, in this moment.
Rosanna, I respect you so much.
I love that Safe Place song and have been wanting the words for some time. Thanks for sharing it and for sharing your journey. I am glad you have such sweet memories to hold on to.
Rose, Rose. My prayers and tears for you remain. Thank you for being so open and honest in your blog. The first time I heard "Safe Place" was at Nate's funeral and it has stuck with me since. What is it about music that sooths the soul like nothing else? I want you to know I love you so much and am amazed at your character that is showing through in this storm. Phil will be proud to see CS Lewis up there. :) We love you so much Rosanna.
I don't know you but, I am a reader of Jamie's blog.
You have much strength through Jesus.
Your journey WILL touch the life of others. Keep sharing, keep being real.
And know people are lifting you and your family up in prayer all over the world!
Keep looking to your heavenly daddy. HE is ALL you need.
Donna
Rosanna,
I just found your new blog today... thank you for being willing to share your journey. I continue to weep, continue to pray, knowing that the Lord will hold you close and give you His peace.
Christina
Rosanna..I wish i knew you personally...i wish we were amazing friends. Your blog, and the things you write inspire me and give me peace inside! Your continually in our prayers! Thank you for sharing your continual journey! Keep allowing God to be your strength! You are one inspiring woman of God!
Thanks for sharing your journey with us Rosanna and reminding all of us that Jesus truly is our safe place. Know that we are all praying for you and praying today that you will never doubt that God is there with you in the midst of the darkest night.
I have been reminded today of Corrie ten Boon's comment: Never doubt in the darkness what God has showed you in the light. May the reality of all God showed you in the light carry you thru this time.
Thinking of you today. And every day.
i don't know you but i've been following your blogs for awhile now, and i want you to know i love you.
i'm sorry you have to go through this, it seems unfair. it's comforting to know god has a plan, but it still doesn't make sense somtimes...i'm praying for you.
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