I was first introduced to the song “Mercies Anew” when I was deployed to Afghanistan with the Army several years ago.  Despite the rough and uncertain conditions during that time, I am thankful for all the blessings God gave to me.  A friend of mine sent me a cd with this song and I remember playing, and singing, it over and over and over.  When I came home, I sang it at my church.

You may or may not know that I broke my arm two and a half weeks ago (See: 85 Things I’m Thankful For {after breaking my arm}).   Just a week before I broke my arm, the music director at my church asked me to sing for the offertory at my church. I had just begun singing on the worship team regularly again (I was slow to get back into the swing of things after my daughter was born) and the music director needed a song last minute.  I knew it was a lovely opportunity for me to sing again.  I studied Voice Performance in college but didn’t finish my degree (I switched majors after joining the Army Reserve and favored learning about my other passions: history, Hebrew, and eventually elementary education.)

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.

I chose to sing “Mercies Anew,” which is based  on the above verse from Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV).  This was so timely because my husband’s grandmother just passed away.  I was supposed to sing this at her funeral, but couldn’t because it was just a day after my surgery.  I am happy to share my singing today — the recording isn’t professional and my vocals are far from perfect and you can’t hear the lovely flutist, but it is from my heart and reflects its state right now — I hope you enjoy it.

Me singing the song “Mercies Anew”:

Mercies Anew

by Mark Altrogge and Bob Kauflin 

Every morning that breaks 
There are mercies anew 
Every breath that I take 
Is Your faithfulness proved 
And at the end of each day 
When my labors are through 
I will sing of Your mercies anew 

When I’ve fallen and strayed
There were mercies anew
For You sought me in love
And my heart you pursued
In the face of my sin
Lord, You never withdrew
So I sing of Your mercies anew

And Your mercies, they will never end
For ten thousand years they’ll remain
And when this world’s beauty has passed away
Your mercies will be unchanged

And when the storms swirl and rage
There are mercies anew
In affliction and pain
You will carry me through
And at the end of my days
When my labors are through
I will sing of Your mercies anew

These words have stuck with me these past weeks as I struggle to let my body heal from breaking my elbow and my subsequent surgery.  I am learning to rely on others to help me with basic needs.  It has been hard.  The pain is intense and has only gotten worse with the start of physical therapy.   I am learning how to parent in a whole new way.  I am learning that I am still strong.  I must let myself rest.  But I cannot feel sorry for myself.

This is hard.

Right now, this very moment, after physical therapy, my elbow is throbbing and is swollen like a baseball.  I think about all the little pieces of bone that were shattered and are now held together with 15+ pins and plates.  The pain is deep and it is crushing.  But mercies, with hard work, I will recover 90%.  I had an amazing surgeon and the best care, and with a lot of effort and tears, I will use my arm again.

My baby girl has had to cry for me at night when I was in too much pain to nurse her.  This devastates me.  I slept with her most nights before this and cherish the sweet times I had with her.  I physically can’t be with her, and that has broken a piece of my heart.  But mercies, she learned quickly that daddy can soothe her.  They are forming a new and precious bond.  And after only a couple minutes of fuss in her bed she falls back to sleep.  She has now slept through the night most nights, which means less tears at night for her and more rest for us both — so I can be a better mom during the day.

My son is a physical little boy — he loves to wrestle and tickle and just be rough.  It is wrenching for me that I can’t grab him and tickle him or trap him and play monster or throw him on his bed.  But mercies, he is learning to be more tender and more helpful.  He is always bringing me my hand sponge and he came up to me the other evening, gently kissed my elbow, and said, “You’re going to get better, mom!”

I can’t touch my face or change my daughter’s diaper or shave my right arm pit or open a Plum squeeze for my daughter or carry laundry upstairs.  In fact, the doctor said I can’t hold anything in my left hand or drive or type! for another six weeks.  But mercies, my husband has taken care of me.  I am blessed by him and so many others who have come to care for us and prepare delicious meals for us.

I hope this has helped you to be grateful today, blessings,

These are the wonderful bloggers joining in the 21 Days of Gratitude: 

Inspired by Familia, Upside Down Homeschooling, Still Playing School,  Makeovers and Motherhood, P is for Preschooler, The Educators’ Spin On It,  Toddler Approved!,  The Connection We Share, Mama Pea Pod,  Mum in the Madhouse, Mama Miss,  Plain Vanilla Mom,  Tips from a Typical Mom,  Learning with Mouse,  Preschool Powol Packets,  Kids Yoga Stories,  Dirt and Boogers,  Local Fun for Kids,  Positive Parenting Connection,  Kitchen Counter Chronicles, The Good Long Road, Bits of Positivity, JDaniel 4′s Mom, The Eyes of A Boy, Wildflower Ramblings