Thursday, March 6, 2008

Speechless

Have you ever had a moment that so overwhelmed you, you were shocked to silence and brought to tears? I had a moment like that the other day.

My husband and I had just returned to town after spending the weekend at his parents. We drove by his work so I could drop him off to pick up his truck. He went to renew his driver's license and pick up groceries while I brought the boys home.

As I opened the screen door I found a parcel tucked between the doors. I glanced at the writing on the side and saw that it was from ChristianBooks.com. I was expecting a shipment from Amazon and Steeple Hill, but had never ordered anything from ChristianBooks before.

That was when I realized my dear friend Katybug must have sent the books she said I could borrow from her. I was expecting the shipment to take three or four weeks and it had only been days since we last emailed. I was feeling rather impressed with the efficiency of the courier system.

I hauled the package up the stairs and promptly slit open the tape. I pulled back the flaps.

And stared.

And looked at the box.

And stared some more.

And burst into tears.

Inside the box were three brand new books packaged all nicely. Included on the mailing slip was this note:

"SHAUNA - WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT COSTS LESS TO GET THE SET FOR YOU THAN IT WOULD FOR YOU & ME TO SHIP MY SET BACK AND FORTH?! NUTS - ISN'T IT? CONSIDER THIS A LATE VALENTINE'S GIFT OR AN EARLY BIRTHDAY GIFT. I KNOW YOU WILL LOVE THEM. THIS AUTHOR HAS THE SAME QUALITY AS DEE. I HAVE ENJOYED GETTING TO KNOW YOU VIA CYBERSPACE AND HOPE TO MEET YOU IN PERSON ONE OF THESE DAYS. MANY BLESSINGS - KATY."

I stood in my kitchen, absolutely speechless, feeling completely overwhelmed, while my snowy shoes puddled water and dirt all over the floor. Thank you, Katy. You have no idea how God used you to bless me that day.

********************
Some of you have expressed an interest in my weekly music selection. I thought I would post it here to make it easier for you to find. Completed at 3:30 this afternoon, here is the lineup:

-Lord Reign In Me (Opening Song)

-Better Is One Day
-Just A Glimpse
-Enough
-In Your Presence

-Somewhere In The Middle (Special Music)

-Lifesong (Closing Song)

So, providing practice goes well tonight, those will be our songs. Let me know if you've heard these songs before and what you'll be singing this Sunday.

11 comments:

The Daily Bee said...

I am sitting here teary eyed; speechless like you must have been. How incredible is it that we've all gotten to know each other over the past year or so, just by dropping notes and emails here and there.

Katybug - Girl, you rock!

**********

I heard of all except for these:
-Just A Glimpse
-Enough
-In Your Presence

-Somewhere In The Middle

I'll have to look up.

Jenster said...

That Katybug is something else, isn't she?? I received a similar package a while ago and was overwhelmed as well!

Great song list!

I have no idea what we're singing on Sunday. I should know since the music director currently lives here.

Becky said...

Awww, what a sweet surprise! The Lord knew you needed that, and used Katybug to bless your socks off! (Gettin' a little misty here...)

I love the lineup of songs. We used to sing most of those before our church so cruelly went back to one service with mostly hymns. Ahem, not that I'm bitter. Not one bit. Because that's not Christlike.

I didn't recognize Somewhere In the Middle by name, though I'd probably recognize it by the chorus, but I absolutely LOVE Lifesong. One of my faves.

Sing4joy said...

God is good. All the time. I didn't recognize SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE either so when I looked it up on iTunes, I was so thrilled to see Casting Crowns pop up! I have really got to buy their new album, especially since I went straight from iTunes to ticketmaster and bought tickets for me and the kiddos to go to their upcoming concert! HA. I am beside myself! (I like that set too - only other one I didn't know was JUST A GLIMPSE. Perhaps I will start a regular post called This Week's Worship (I really feel blessed knowing how others are worshiping)

Shauna said...

Deb - The song "Enough" is a Chris Tomlin song. The chorus is "And all of you, is more than enough for, all of me ..." Sound familiar? "In Your Presence" is by Jason Upton. His stuff is GREAT! "Somewhere in the Middle" is a Casting Crowns' song off their new album "Altar & the Door". I'm doing that song as a testimonial. Kinda hits where I've been at.

Jenster - Yeah, Katybug really surprised me with that one.

Becky - If you like "Lifesong" you'll like "Somewhere in the Middle" by Casting Crowns. Very clever lyrics.

S4J - Their new album is FABULOUS! It just gets better and better the more I listen to it. I'd love to hear what you're doing this week for music. Also, "Just a Glimpse" is by Israel Houghton. An older song, but great lyrics. If you want, I'll send the lyrics to you.

His Girl said...

what a wonderful surprise! how awesome!!!

I like your worship set posting! Very fun to hum along.

Would LOVE to hear you sing someday!

The Daily Bee said...

I love Lifesong. Great song!

My two faves right now are East to West by Casting Crowns and God With Us by Mercy Me. Great wording!

Katybug said...

Shucks...tweren't nothin'. It was my great pleasure. :-)

Katybug said...

And one more thing: I would've given almost anything to have seen your face!!!!

Travis Erwin said...

Unexpected gifts are the best kind.

Shauna said...

His Girl - Perhaps if I get brave enough and can figure out how to get it on the computer. ;-)

Deb - I've never heard of God With Us. I'll have to check it out! I love songs with great lyrics.

Katybug - I'm not kidding when I say to took about two days for the reality to sink in. And every time I look at those books I get a little misty. Chad will be working away next week, so I'm saving them for my lonely evenings. After all, I'm gonna need something to cuddle up with. ;-)

Travis - Absolutely the best!