This calls for some Hallelujah cake!

It was Friday, October 7, the night before the big Kickstarter deadline to raise funds for the new album.   Throughout the day, I had been posting updates on Facebook every 2 hours or so as pledges slowly trickled in.  However, when it was time to head out to see Buddy Greene perform downtown, we were still somewhere around a thousand short.  So, I began posting statements of belief in my status, one after another . . .

We trust in the Name of the Lord our God.

  Nothing is too difficult for Him.

    He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

      The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want (for anything!)

        I believe God is Who He says He is and He can do what He says He can do.

           Lord, hear our prayer.  You are Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider.

I knew the final outcome was in God’s Hands completely and, thus, felt free to go soak in some good music with a friend.  Buddy plays a mean harmonica and the musicianship was top notch.  We were dazzled by the bluegrass, Celtic, folk, even Irish jigs comin’ from the platform.  Foot tappin’ and hand clappin’ ensued. Their Jesus joy oozed out all over us.

As the evening was winding down, I found myself arrested by one of just a few ballads he played that night.  “Hard Times Come Again No More” evoked the gift of sorrow mixed with gratitude and I let the tears slowly trickle down.  Sorrow for the hard times.  Gratitude for the gettin’ through.

I’m no fool. I know that when we sign up to follow Christ, while we may not realize it at the time, our whole lives will likely be a series of hard times, one after the other. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble,”  and Henry Ward Beecher responded, “troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.”

I got home and checked the computer straight away.  And don’tcha know what our Over and Above God did while I was gone?  Well, He done showed off by kickin’ it a thousand over and above our goal. Woohoo! I think maybe the bluegrass music was gettin’ to Him, too:)

Hard times.  Good times.  And the gettin’ through.  I decided this called for some Hallelujah cake!  I spelled the word out carefully to the lady behind the counter at the grocery store bakery. “That’s H-A-L-L-E-L-U-J-A-H.  And can you add an exclamatiion point at the end?”  Thanks!”

Last night, I hosted community group at my house.  We had but one slice left.  It’s in the fridge, fork ready, whenever Jesus pays a visit.

Thanks to all who prayed, pledged, and kept believing.  Let’s make a record!

So I can tell,

Cheri