We love living in Chapel Hill. We love the people. We love the weather. We love the spirit of community. We love the diversity. We love the opportunities. We love the charity. Recently, Jeff and I experienced all of these loves in one evening at Carolina Hopefest....the good music was a definite bonus!
Carolina Hopefest brings together singers/songwriters to benefit grassroots sustainable development in Africa. This year, proceeds will benefit Nourish International, a student-led movement to eradicate global poverty. Proceeds will also benefit Beacon of Hope and other organizations of Africa Rising.
Matt Nathanson (who rocked it out and was quite the solo entertainer!) as well as the Indigo Girls were this year's headliners. However, the best surprise for me was getting to hear "Held" performed by its North Carolina songwriter, Christa Wells. Many of you may recognize this song made popular by Amy Grant. If you haven't heard it, I encourage you to listen here. What an incredible reminder of how God holds us in his arms when we need him most. When describing how the lyrics of "Held" came to fruition, Christa writes "...no person of faith lives without suffering...BUT...in the middle of that heartache...we are held, held up, held together, by the One who has walked here and knows the pain, and who also holds all of time, every story, my story, your story, the Greatest Story in his hands."
Two months is too little. They let him go. They had no sudden healing. To think that providence would take a child from his mother while she prays, is appalling.
Who told us we'd be rescued? What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares? We're asking why this happens to us who have died to live. It's unfair.
This is what it means to be held, how it feels when the sacred is torn from your life and you survive. This is what it is to be loved and to know that the promise was when everything fell, we'd be held.
This hand is bitterness. We want to taste it and let the hatred numb our sorrows. The wise hand opens slowly to lillies of the valley...and tomorrow.
This is what it means to be held, how it feels when the sacred is torn from your life and you survive. This is what it is to be loved and to know that the promise was when everything fell, we'd be held.
If hope is born of suffering; If this is only the beginning.... Can we not wait for one hour, watching for our Savior?
This is what it means to be held, how it feels when the sacred is torn from your life and you survive. This is what it is to be loved and to know that the promise was when everything fell, we'd be held.*
Who told us we'd be rescued? What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares? We're asking why this happens to us who have died to live. It's unfair.
This is what it means to be held, how it feels when the sacred is torn from your life and you survive. This is what it is to be loved and to know that the promise was when everything fell, we'd be held.
This hand is bitterness. We want to taste it and let the hatred numb our sorrows. The wise hand opens slowly to lillies of the valley...and tomorrow.
This is what it means to be held, how it feels when the sacred is torn from your life and you survive. This is what it is to be loved and to know that the promise was when everything fell, we'd be held.
If hope is born of suffering; If this is only the beginning.... Can we not wait for one hour, watching for our Savior?
This is what it means to be held, how it feels when the sacred is torn from your life and you survive. This is what it is to be loved and to know that the promise was when everything fell, we'd be held.*
*"Held" lyrics, written by Christa Wells
Loved hearing what a wonderful event this was! Baby E, we can't wait!
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