I had an opportunity to share the video for Hold On today at a salon where I was getting my hair done—my regular stylist also did my hair and makeup for my music video.  She and I both were excited about the project and so we wanted to give the ladies a preview of what is to come when the song is released on this Friday (August 15^th).  As I was having my highlights rinsed out, one of the clients there with her son watched the video wearing my headphones.  As I made my way to her, looking like a drowned rat, she began to tell me how the song really touched her.  She said that she had goose bumps.  Right then and there, this precious lady began to share her story with me.  She told me how she learned the power of praying aloud during Katrina when she and her family physically held the doors of their home shut against the pressure and wind.  The contractor that came later to assess the damage said they had saved their home through their perseverance.  I was in awe of this feat alone, but then she proceeded to tell me of her recent battles.  Apparently her stepson who was planning to come home and take over the family practice from his father, her husband, was killed 5 months ago due to a foolish act on the son's part.  Since then, she has been struggling with anger over his foolish actions, her husband is devastated at the loss of his son, and their 13 yr old son is just at a loss with everything they've been through.  This lady was telling me about how she was continuing to pray aloud for her husband and her family, but at the end of her prayers was telling herself that she forgave her stepson.  At that moment, I felt led to share with her a lesson that God taught me about forgiveness being a choice, not a feeling.  I told her that someone I loved had hurt me very deeply and that it took me one full year of praying out loud, everyday, consciously choosing to forgive them.  As a result, I eventually felt a peace and a genuine forgiveness that allows us a friendly, if not close, relationship to this day.  I told her how I believed that she too could have that kind of peace and closure with her stepson.  "You see," I told her, "it's not about him, but about God changing you through your decision to forgive him.  It's about you being changed, your walk with Him being refined, so that you can then go help others."  Then, I reminded her that she, more than most, having suffered the horrors of Katrina, would understand that the things of this world can be destroyed and ripped from us…they can be shaken, damaged, blown.  But the things of God will always be solid…they can NEVER be moved or destroyed!  I encouraged her to continue to pray aloud for her husband and her family because it's these things of God that will get her family through it!  I then gave her my information, my email, where to get the song and asked her to keep in touch with me…let me know what her husband thought of the song.

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When you're given a gift that's followed by life experiences that not only reveal who you are but who God is, then you hope for an opportunity to share it with others that might be struggling with similar things.  Today, I had such an opportunity.  I've been singing all my life.  I've seen what the power of music can do to change a person's outlook.   And I saw it again today…this woman came in wearing her "normal," her usual smile and wave that hid her fight.  Then she saw the video, heard the song and God used a donkey like me to speak into her life…looking like a drowned rat, hair dripping!  And she left that place with a different countenance…one of hope with a spring in her step.  She couldn't wait to share it with her husband!  If this precious woman is the only person ever touched by our song Hold On, it's been completely worth it!  But I know some more good news!  God wants many more people to be touched, changed, healed and made whole to live their lived in freedom! 

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Maybe you're struggling right now with something.  Maybe life isn't what you thought it would/should be.  Maybe someone you know has lost hope because of a desperate situation.  Or maybe you're just stuck in a rut and don't know how to get out.  If this speaks to anything you might be dealing with, then I pray that the song lyrics will bring you some comfort:  "don't give in to thoughts of despair, though we may never know why…hold on to love, hold on to faith!  They are treasures that this world cannot replace!"

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If you or someone you love would like prayer, then please allow me the opportunity to do so with you!  If this is too public a forum, then feel free to email me privately at angie@angieewing.com.  Many blessings this week!

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~ang