Listening for God in the Wal Mart parking lot

When You lead me to the valley of vision

I can see You in the heights
And though my humbling wouldn't be my decision
It's here Your glory shines so bright
So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown
To be low is to be high
That the valley's where You make me more like Christ

Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You're near with every breath
In the valley

In the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley's where Your power is revealed.

I am always fascinated by the places I hear the still, small voice of God.

I haven't had the pleasure recently of quiet mornings sitting on my porch with my Bible...or evenings on the sofa with my eyes closed and listening to great music.

However, yesterday evening...after the three older children were asleep...my daughter and I made a Wal Mart run for such important travel items as disposable diapers. I have been sitting in the car with the AC running for days, usually listening to children's praise tapes or Veggie Tales.

However, yesterday evening she was playing a CD which had been a gift from her husband for Christmas. It is called the Valley of Vision and it is absolutely beautiful. It's based on the Valley of Vision puritan book (which I know many of us love). The song above is the first on the CD, which I found myself playing over and over.

I enjoyed the coolness of the car on a very hot day and the music filling the van and I heard that still, small Voice. I felt His presence...in the parking lot...at Wal Mart. Even the baby went to sleep at the sound of the music.

It wasn't until Amarillo by Morning played on my cell phone that the quiet was interrupted with a call from my teenage son, driving home from a class. I told him where I was and within a few minutes, he had driven up and parked near to me. Ironically, he was near the Wal Mart entrance on the Highway when he had phoned. I always enjoy seeing those I love in unexpected places. :)

If you are interested in hearing excerpts from the CD, you can go here.

I found a review on Challies site, which is quite good, too.

I'll be back on Sunday for Afternoon Tea...God willing and the creek don't rise.