When My World is Shaking

One of the most curious literary terms I learned on my way to a minor in English is pathetic fallacy or the treatment of inanimate objects as if they had human feelings, thought, or sensations. For example, oftentimes in movies, when all is finally made right--the star-crossed lovers find one another, the underdog wins the Super Bowl, the cute little boy finds an organ donor; you get the picture--the sun is ironically shining in agreement. This is pathetic fallacy. 

Mulling through much difficult news of late, I couldn't help but realize that Birmingham's weather, which is a never-ending overcast, drizzly and below 40 degrees, is playing pathetic fallace (not sure if this is the right usage) in sympathy of my loved ones.

Just today, a friend of my dear friend Blake, watched as her four-year-old daughter passed from this world. The president of my company is battling tonsil cancer. People are suffering immensely in Haiti. So many I know are still without work. A dear one just went through a break-up and is trusting God to heal her broken heart. A precious friend  has battled a life-sapping mental and physical illness for over a decade now, while another is headed into a daunting, life-changing surgery next month. In my job I am constantly made aware of the frailty of our human bodies and how much chronic pain can overwhelm one's quality of life. All you have to do is OPEN YOUR EYES to realize this world is in extreme pain. I'm reminded of this reality and given hope by John 16:33--"In this world you WILL have trouble, but take heart, for I have overcome the world." 

We are a hurting, broken people desperately in need of a Savior. The thought of not knowing Christ and having to face this world is terrifying to me. He is our hope. Yes, we are going to face trials. All kinds of trials: physical, mental, emotional. But we have so much hope in knowing that this world is not our own. And that our Father has perfection in store for us after this life when we are with Him. What joy!

I found this little piece of hope in JJ Heller's Your Hands. It's worth downloading:

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world 
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands