Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Three Word Wednesday: I Surrender All



Three Word Wednesday

I Surrender All

On Sunday our worship team closed our time together singing the chorus from the song, "I Surrender All," by Judson W. Van DeVenter.

"I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all."

We stood and sang these few lyrics together after a member of our church, who will soon be leaving us, shared her story. She is not someone I've previously met but she is someone I will not forget. She is the inspiration behind my three words: I Surrender All.

She sat in front of the congregation and told of the day when a "bomb" went off in her life. The "bomb" hit when she received devastating news; news containing the dreaded "C" word. However, the "bomb" also led to something which she described as "really cool." Within hours of receiving the news she knew the only next right choice was to surrender it all to Christ. It was in the moment of surrender when she realized everything was going to be okay. Because of her faith in Him she trusted His promise in Romans 8:28,

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

What could have been the worst year of her life ended up being one of the most exciting years for her and her family. There is so much more to her story. Maybe she'd accept a request to one day share with us here. 

Before closing the service our pastor returned to his spot next to her. He looked at the congregation and asked, "What does it take for us to get to the point of complete surrender?" Will it take hitting rock bottom or will we make the choice sooner to "let go and let God?"

As many of you may know, my family is preparing for a season of change with my husband soon leaving for his first deployment. I know I've been telling you this for months and you must be wondering when this will actually happen. For his safety, and the safety of his fellow soldiers, all I will say is he leaves before the end of the year. Up until his departure he will spend little time at home due to training requirements.

I do try to refrain from continually talking about this deployment. It's what occupies my mind though so it's hard to write about anything else.

When I think about the months we will spend apart tears easily come. I also have fears which lead to sleepless nights. I don't necessarily fear he won't return home to me; I fear how different he may be when he does return home and how the time apart may impact our marriage.

This may not make sense to you but as much as I pray for plans to change, I also know how much it means to my husband to serve his country in this way. Honestly, there is also a prayer for plans to move forward out of respect for him.

My pastor's question stayed with me as I left church on Sunday walking a little closer to my husband. What would it take for me to completely surrender to God's will?

I could look at this upcoming year anticipated to be spent without my husband as one that will be the worst year of my life. I also have the choice to surrender it all to Him and trust He will be up to something good. He has already done so much good in our life.

I knew the next right choice so before sharing a meal together (going out for lunch after church has become a tradition), I took my husband's hand in mine and lifted up a prayer similar to the words we sang together that morning in church. 

"I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all."

Friends, we need to trust Him completely and whatever comes our way make the choice to give it to Him with complete surrender. We live in a fallen world so unfortunately bad things do happen. Our God though--he does only good things.

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good things does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." ~ Psalm 84:11

Many people tell me I just need to be strong. Thank goodness I don't need to rely on my own strength as I know I can't do this by myself. I can trust God though to be my strength. We can do all things through the One who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).

33 comments :

  1. Beth -
    Before I can even link up, I want to say I will be praying for you & your husband regarding his deployment. May our God provide the strength & comfort in the days ahead that you will need. And I know that He will He will be faithful to you! So glad to have "met" you. You have blessed me.
    Hugs,
    Joanne

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    1. Thank you for your prayers Joanne. They are appreciated. Thank you for linking up again today. I'm so glad to have "met" you too. {Hugs}

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  2. I cannot even imagine the great sacrifice it takes a family who serves our country in this way! And the surrender, as you said, to let him go. I wrote about letting go and trusting that God has us, wherever we go. Sometimes this is easier to say then to do. Thinking of you as you prepare for this huge change and thankful that God will be walking with you through it.

    Christy @ A Heartening Life
    www.ahearteninglife.com

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    1. Thank you, Christy. I know this act of surrender may be something I need to do again and again. Thanks for stopping by. I will be coming over to visit you to see what you have shared.
      Blessings,
      Beth

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  3. Beth, couldn't be become teary as I read this. I have a nephew who is preparing to be deployed too. It's the first time my family has had anyone in our immediate family to do so. And it's with mixed emotions and bit of confusion that we prepare to say goodbye to him for this extended time.

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    1. Wanda, I will keep your nephew, along with you and your family, in my prayers. I know we are always so proud of their choice to serve but at the same time all we want is to keep them close. I would love to support your nephew by sending care packages and/or cards. I volunteer for an organization that sends wonderful care packages to our deployed service members. If you feel comfortable, feel free to email me at simplybeth(at)gmail(dot)com and we can stay connected.
      Blessings to you,
      Beth

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  4. Beth, The Lord has been speaking to me about total surrender, about being controlled by the spirit, and your words speak to my heart! I will be praying for you as you face the months ahead. My nephew is to be deployed again soon. He will be commanding a nuclear sub this go around. He has been in Iraq in a sub and in Afghanistan on the ground. We don't know where he will be this time, and they keep postponing his next deployment so we wait although this time we don't know where he will be and his wife is pregnant with their first child. He will probably miss the birth. We can trust that as we place it all in his hands whatever comes will be in his good and perfect will. It is in the darkness that we can more easily recognize the light. It is in the cold of winter when we can more easily feel the warmth. God will be your light and your warmth through all of this! Love you sweet lady!! And I love Three Word Wednesday!! So Fun!

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    1. Stephani, Thank you for sharing with me about your nephew. He will be kept in my prayers, along with all those that love and support him. The military does bring many challenges for families and my prayer is always that they know the Lord because He will be their warmth through it all. I love your heart and you have blessed me deeply by what you have shared. If at any time I can be of support to your nephew or his wife please reach out to me. My husband and I lead a military support ministry at our church and we are always receiving cards and other items to send out so they know many are praying for them. Love you and so grateful for you.

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  5. The Lord is preparing your heart... So thankful the service of your family on behalf of mine.

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    1. Yes He is. Thank you for stopping by Dea. Blessings to you.

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  6. Thank you so much Beth. Your blog and your writing is beautiful. Praying for you right now as you prepare for your husband's deployment. I would love for you to consider linking this post with #LyricalTuesdays at LyricalGrace.com -- a somewhat new link-up for posts about hymns and song lyrics. "I Surrender All" is such a needful reminder for us all. God bless!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Kristen. Your link up sounds lovely. I will be sure to come on by.
      Many blessings,
      Beth

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  7. What a picture! Stunning.

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    1. Thank you, Janet. It was actually taken by my youngest son. I hope you are having a blessed day.

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  8. Praying for you and your husband today. I am so thankful for those who serve.

    Thank you for hosting this link-up. I had so much fun putting together my post for today.

    I love the image in your post, and the story from your church grabbed me. I actually wrote about the topic of surrender earlier this month -- now, here it is again. (Don't you love it when God repeats Himself!)

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    1. Thank you for your prayers Lyli. I'm so glad you linked up again and that you are enjoying preparing for these Wednesday's together. It makes me smile!
      The picture was actually taken by my son while we were spending time in California. And yes, I do love how God repeats Himself. He always knows what messages we need to hear.
      Much love to you friend.

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  9. Hi Beth, thanks for linking up and I have linked up in return. I surrender all! A really tough thing to do, but God knows we are all works of progress. Great post.
    God bless
    Tracy

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Tracy and for linking up. It's nice to see you here. I do so enjoy your weekly link up at your place. Thank you for your kind heart.
      Many blessings,
      Beth

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  10. Dropping by from Winsome Wednesday. Ny entry is : love and faithfulness from: willyouhearfromme.blogspot.com
    Things happens in our life for a reason. Anyway, God is going to be with your husband and you.
    My husband is a seaman. Always away, but our love for each other is still the same. We miss each other always, but we take it again when he is home:)

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    1. Thank you to your husband for his service and to you for supporting him. I appreciate you stopping in and sharing. I love your three words!
      Blessings to you.
      Beth

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  11. Hi Beth!! Love your post! Yes my friend...what will it take for us to TOTALLY Surrender ALL TO HIM! Our son-in-law fought in Iraq, thank God BEFORE he met our daughter. I can only imagine the anxiety we would have had, having him over there and not knowing. BUT, then again, we are His and He keeps us, doesn't He? And He'll definitely KEEP your husband as well! Praying the 91st Psalm over his life and those of his fellow servicemen/women, for their speedy return and safety... Thanks so much for linking up! Have a blessed rest of your week! ;-)

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    1. Thank you so much Michell for your kind words! And thank you to your son-in-law for his service. God bless him. "We are His and He keeps us." Amen! I've been blessed by your visit here. Thank you! I'm grateful for our new connection.
      Have a blessed week as well.
      {Hugs}
      Beth

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  12. What a brave, honest, touching post. Thanks for sharing your life here.

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  13. Lifting you and your family up in prayer my friend. Oh this week TWW snuck up on me, and I don't have a post prepared. I have blogged every day this week, as a few other things had come up. I will be back next week for sure!

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  14. Praying for your peace, Beth. I can only imagine how difficult it is to know that your husband will be deployed shortly. Re: scripture to share, the pastor this Sunday spoke on Phillipians 2: 5-11. Regarding humility, he said that Jesus poured himself out fully for us, but we keep a little in reserve. Truly a challenge to surrender all!

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  15. What an excellent point....I am reminded of a Beth Moore study that spoke of submission -- or surrendering all as you state it here -- being the key to peace. When we submit to the authority of the Prince of Peace, we receive the peace. Your friend's submission to the C word shows evidence of that. What a great reminder.

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  16. Beth,
    I was having an emotional day myself, yesterday, so I am a little slow in getting to your blog. Now the melody and words to "I Surrender All" are flowing through my mind and heart. I love how I can always come to your site and be encouraged and feel the love of God. My prayer has been and will continue to be that YOU will feel the pure, comforting, love of God as you deal with separation from your husband! I can only begin to imagine what you deal with?! Know that I am always here for you...
    With love and ((hugs)) always,
    Bev

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  17. Beth, I believe God is going to do awesome things in your life in the next few months. I often find it hard to sing "I Surrender All" with conviction because the words have such weight and meaning. But I believe that it's in those spaces where we don't have any control over the situation that we're forced to surrender all, and watch Him work it out. Excited to hear more of your journey and testimony to how God will be moving in your life, Beth!

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Much love to you.