Beautiful Heartbreak

 I have shared this song several times over the years- Beautiful Heartbreak (Youtube Video)

I had it all mapped out in front of me,

Knew just where I wanted to go;

But life decided to change my plans,

And I found a mountain in the middle of my road.

I knew there was no way over it,

So I searched for a way around;

Brokenhearted I started climbin',

And at the top I found...

Every fear, every doubt,

All the pain I went through;

Was the price that I paid to see this view;

And now that I'm here I would never trade...

The grace that I feel,

And the faith that I find;

Through the bitter-sweet tears,

And the sleepless nights;

I used to pray he'd take it all away,

But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.

I never dreamed my heart would make it,

I thought about turning around;

But heaven has shown me miracles,

I never would have seen from the ground.

Now I take the rain with the sunshine,

Cause there's one thing that I know;

He picks up the pieces,

Along each broken road.

Every fear, every doubt,

All the pain I went through;

Was the price that I paid to see this view;

And now that I'm here I would never trade...

The grace that I feel,

And the faith that I find;

Through the bitter-sweet tears,

And the sleepless nights.

I used to pray he'd take it all away,

But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.

I would never trade...

The grace that I feel,

And the faith that I find;

Through the bitter-sweet tears,

And the sleepless nights.

I used to pray he'd take it all away,

But instead it became a beautiful heartbreak.

Late last week and early this week as I prayed over our choice of school for Maddy, I so clearly saw God moving mountains to align everything and calm my fears. I enrolled Maddy at Trinity Prep this fall with complete Peace knowing it is the right choice for Maddy and our family. And as I once again chose a path different than the one I had planned, I was reminded of this song that I have returned to over and over again. This life God has granted me and the story that is my family is often full of fear, of pain, of doubt, of sadness and yet we continue to find faith and to see miracles and to know a view that is so beautiful and leaves me feeling blessed that I was chosen to walk this unexpected path.

As I left Maddy's new school after a meeting with their educational specialist, I received a call I didn't expect. A few months ago, I filled out an application for a once in a lifetime trip for our family and especially Maddy Moo. It was through Hopekids, an organization that has been such a blessing over the past several years. they provide activities and outings for families with chronically ill kids (free of charge to the families) so that we can make amazing memories and enjoy time away from medical treatment. This trip is outside their normal activities and was to a Ranch in Montana for a week. Two families would be selected to attend a Week of Hope. And so I filled out the application and I prayed over the trip, but did not think we would be selected. As I left the school, I got the call that we were one of the families selected. And so in August we will quite literally see a beautiful new view as we spend a week in the outdoors and meet amazing people and get to do activities we don't normally experience. 

As I ponder this week I am reminded that God is so good, that there is ALWAYS hope, and you can always choose joy.  I cannot wait for August as we once again walk a different path and look for the beauty beyond the heartbreak. 

Ali