Lifesong In The Limelight/Sharlyn Guthrie

I truly believe that a person's testimony, salvation or otherwise, is one of the most powerful expressions of the Christian faith. I thrive on hearing God-stories. When I had my blog giveaway/contest, I asked for testimonies based on songs affecting one's faith. Well, people submitted, and I was moved. That's where "Lifesong In the Limelight" on Saturdays was born.

A faithwriters friend of mine submitted a testimony that pulled my heart right out of my chest. Sharlyn is not only a talented writer who has won several awards, but also someone with a passionate heart for Christ. Though I don't know her personally, I wish I did. She is the type of person, through the power of the Holy Spirit's pen, who knows how to inspire people to look up, even in the midst of horrid pain. That is exactly why I waited until now to bring you her testimony. At a time when many suffer with loneliness and loss, her message is sure to comfort. I'm so humbled to present her as today's

My Heart Will Choose To Say
by Sharlyn Guthrie

I can think of many times throughout my life when music has spoken to me in a special way. The most recent, however, was after I received a call informing me that my daughter-in-law, Sarah, had miscarried.

Any miscarriage is painful and hard to understand, but Sarah had been unable to conceive for seven years. Her pregnancy seemed miraculous--an answer to all the prayers I had prayed for them. In fact, many had been praying for Tyson and Sarah, and the prayers only increased when we learned they were expecting.

They passed the first milestone of hearing the heartbeat. Next, they passed the second milestone, moving safely from the first into the second trimester. Sarah was feeling good, and beginning to look and feel pregnant. We all became pretty confident that this pregnancy would indeed result in a child for Tyson and Sarah. But on a regular doctor visit, the heartbeat couldn't be detected, and an ultrasound confirmed that the baby had died.

I must admit that my first response was, "How could you let this happen, God?" But my heart had been prepared through my times with the Lord earlier in the week. I had even written a blog post stating that some days are very good days, but God is always good, regardless of the kind of day I'm experiencing. Very soon the words of Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman began playing in my mind. It remained in my heart and on my lips the rest of the day. The lyrics are as follows:

Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

We are all still grieving the loss of this precious child. I don't know why Sarah's pregnancy failed, or why my son and daughter-in-law had to experience such heartache, but I do know that God is good and worthy of my praise. Blessed be His glorious name!

Sharlyn Guthrie is a preschool teacher who loves the Lord and loves to write. She also leads a ladies' Sunday school class and participates in music ministry. She and her husband serve the Lord together as marriage mentors and wedding coordinators. They have three grown sons, three beautiful daughters-in-law, and two adorable grandchildren. Her fiction pieces can be found at Faithwriters.com, and her blog can be found at Godlinked.

In the Key of HE,