How are you feeling? Healthy? OK? Sick? Groan, moan, cough, hack! Yup! I am still sick. Although, I think I'm coughing a bit less. I'm not sure. I know I still don't feel great. I have to admit, I was feeling rather mopey about it. It's hard enough to be sick, but even more so for those of us in the Sandwich Generation juggling caring for elderly parents, helping with grandkids, and dealing with our own health issues. I did manage to drag myself up, got dressed, and plopped myself down in front of the computer to do some work. I'm moving slower, but it's more than if I didn't move.

I even thought to turn on my iTunes music. The praise and worship songs I've been listening to have been a big encouragement to me, in spite of myself. Especially the last one.  It was the "Take My Life and Let It Be" hymn sung by Chris Tomlin on the Passion Worship Band CD, Hymns Ancient and Modern. 

What a good reminder to myself that I have, repeatedly, told God that I fully surrender myself into His hands. That means in good times AND in bad times. That means when senior parents are doing well or when they are not doing so great. That means when juggling the various Sandwich Generation issues goes well and when it doesn't. And yes, it even means when I feel good AND when I don't feel so good! And yes, it is so wonderfully worth while! I needed that reminder today! How about you?

Whether you are doing fine or, like me, are under the weather, I hope and pray this praise and worship music is also an encouragement for you today. Have a blessed Sandwich Generation day!  :) 

For more wonderful words of encouragement for a sweet Sunday, please visit Spiritual Sunday. It's a delightful new-to-me meme. You'll find plenty there to encourage you and lift your spirits no matter where you are in the Sandwich Generation issues of caring for elderly parents and helping with grandchildren. 

The worship music at my church is one of the highlights for me each Sunday. I love singing to praise God and am so blessed as I do it. I hope and pray I am a blessing to Him as well! Fortunately, as most of us know well, the Psalms say to make a joyful noise – I can handle that! My rhythm is a bit off, so I can’t sing and clap at the same time. But that’s ok. I just sway and tap my toes and praise my Holy God with great joy!

I love hymns and I love contemporary praise and worship. Being a bit on the hyper side, I have a decided preference for songs with a happy lilt to them.

Today we were blessed by Chris Tomlin’s song “Everlasting God.” The song is based on Isaiah 40:28-31. As a caregiver, I have many times read and reread this passage:

Do you not know?

       Have you not heard?

       The LORD is the everlasting God,

       the Creator of the ends of the earth.

       He will not grow tired or weary,

       and his understanding no one can fathom.

 He gives strength to the weary

       and increases the power of the weak.

 Even youths grow tired and weary,

       and young men stumble and fall;

 but those who hope in the LORD

       will renew their strength.

       They will soar on wings like eagles;

       they will run and not grow weary,

       they will walk and not be faint.

It is such a blessing to me to know that I can keep entrusting myself to God and He will keep me going, when I am exhausted, when I have too much to do, and even on those days when I feel like running away.

I am so grateful to God for the gift of His Word and for the gift of music to remind me of His Word! How about you? What are some of your favorite praise and worship songs that encourage you as you bless others with your gift of caring for them?