Always.

I ran across a piece of paper from Atlanta Fest today and realized I haven’t updated in a while. God works in crazy ways. Let me explain.

The first night of Atlanta Fest I was very privileged to meet a woman named Kris. One of my favorite parts about my job is that I get to hang out with and chat with listeners. When Kris arrived at the Fish tent, we chatted about the festival and different random things. She introduced me to her sister who was with her. It was nice and seemingly normal, at first. Even though she wasn't from the Atlanta area, I just brushed it off as getting the opportunity to meet with another listener.

A few hours later, Kris showed back up to the tent. I was working on something else at the time but she got one of my interns to grab me. I stepped away from the things I was attending to and went to chat with her some more. I figured she had a question and that it wouldn’t take too long. When we started talking again she began to unfold her amazing story to me.

You see, like I said before, she wasn't from Atlanta. In fact, she was from Phoenix. I knew she was there to see Building 429 and she now explained why. Back in 2004, her son was murdered by his father in an attempted murder suicide. She began to describe her beloved Joshua to me. It had been about 4 years since it happened but I could see the hurt on her face and I could hear the pain in her voice. She told me what had happened with her ex-husband and about the custody battle. She told me that Joshua was spending the weekend with his father, just like they had arranged.. just like normal. She continued to tell me about what unfolded when she found out and the trial against the father. She explained the happenings of the years- from her depression and anger to finding God faithful amidst a terrible tragedy.

My heart dropped in that instant just like it did an hour ago when I found the piece of paper she wrote her information on. All the things I was so worried about that day seemed to pale in comparison to the things she had been though. The things I’m worried and getting so stressed out about today still seem to pale in comparison.

A few minutes ago, I did a little research on her and the story of what happened and as I looked through news paper articles on the case, obituaries, and all kinds of stories, I also realized that I had forgotten about the song. Building 429 actually wrote a song about her called “Always”. That gave me goose bumps the night I heard it and it does now.. as I listen to the message.

Check it out here-
http://www.imeem.com/crownofthorns5/music/MyDHg9qy/building-429-always/

Here are the lyrics:

I was standing in the pour raining
One dark November night
Fighting off the bitter cold
When she caught my eye
Her face was torn and her eyes were filled
And then to my surprise
She pulled out a photograph
And my heart just stopped inside
She said He would have been three today
I miss his smile, I miss his face
What was I supposed to say

But I believe always always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and His promise remains
He will be with you always

He was living in a broken world dreaming of a home
His heart was barely keeping pace
When I found him all alone
Remembering the way he felt
When his daddy said goodbye
Fighting just to keep the tears
And the anger locked inside
He's barely holding on to faith
But deliverance is on its way

'Cuz I believe always always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all hope is gone
God knows our pain and His promise remains
He will be with you always

Friend I don't know where you are
And I don't know where you've been
Maybe you're fighting for your life
Or just about to throw the towel in
But if you're crying out for mercy
If there's no hope left at all
If you've given everything you've got
And you're still about to fall
Well hold on, hold on, hold on

Cuz I believe always always
Our Savior never fails
Even when all faith is gone
God knows our pain and His promise remains
Always, Always
He will be with you always
He will be with you always
He will be with you

What a BEAUTIFUL reminder from the Lord. He never fails.. He knows our pain and the things we are going through.. and His promise remains..

Always.