A compilation of some of my song lyrics … more to come 🙂 The cover is a section of a painting I did inspired by a beautiful photo taken by Kate of http://www.quinceandmulberrystudios.com.au of our youngest daughter’s engagement a few years ago.
Category: Illness
Words of Comfort …
❤
Sometimes the gentle breeze of the morning holds the sweet melody of blessings on the way
We have no idea what the day will hold; but if we let that breeze wash over us, our trials will be softened
‘Cause little butterflies of hope will stay with us
Little butterflies trapped within the songs released
❤
Sometimes the one giving the hugs will be the one needing a hug
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When you feel the same day after day after day and symptoms just won’t let up …. smile, ’cause you could feel much worse
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Look through your tears and see the rainbow … there is always something you can be thankful for
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“Oh! I’m sheltering in the shadows of His everlasting arms
I may feel defeated
But by faith I’ll carry on
Yes by faith, I’ll carry on”
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When you feel like your life is a blank canvas compared to those who surround you, always remember that there is Someone who can beautifully take the “im” out of impossible and make all things possible, Someone who can paint the most glorious life story and place you in the starring role.
❤
Try not to be offended or too upset when receiving comments or bearing frustrations from those who just don’t understand. They may be your loved ones, friends or a passersby, their words may hurt and hurt deep; but they really cannot understand unless they’ve been through it themselves or are in the midst of it … I know it’s not easy
❤
‘Tis only when in the valley of illness that the mountain seems insurmountable
‘Tis only when you take that first step toward it, that it will loom so much larger
‘Tis only when you begin to climb and take control (don’t give up) that what rises before you, diminishes
‘Tis only when you reach the top
that hope rejoices,
pain is captured,
you’re no longer captive to the suffering
and
you’ll finally realize how far you have come
May you be strengthened to be able to take that first step …
(please know that by ‘step’ I mean leap of faith and not physically stepping … I understand that many of you with chronic, invisible illness are unable to walk or do so with much difficulty)
❤
May every tear make you stronger, every setback give you the courage to push further forward and in every moment of pain, may you be comforted
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4 KJV
❤
Dear hurting ones, my heart sheds a little part of me knowing that there are some of you who feel absolutely hopeless, or that the circumstances you find yourself in seem hopeless. I know what it feels like to lose so much all at once when one finds themselves in the ‘too hard box’ of invisible illness … so many areas of your life snatched away in one ‘where did that come from’ swoop … your life is totally changed and fight against it you may; but you must allow the ‘resting’ phase of your life to strengthen and validate who you truly are
… you are loved
❤
Your life is unfolding into something beautiful even though you may feel that you are too heavy laden with tears to hold yourself together … let those tears refresh and restore you
“Today we live what we shaped yesterday and dream for tomorrow
… so may the rosebuds of yesterday be the blooms for today and the fragrance of tomorrow”
❤
If you are caught in the pounding of waves upon the seashore and the security of land forever seems unattainable, just remember the serene, inner beauty that is hidden beneath the ever-changing surface … there is wondrous life abundant, unseen … the same that is in your heart amidst the anxiousness and sometimes hopelessness of invisible illness … hope, when your heart is captured by the love of those who share your pain
❤
Sometimes a tree of despair is broken apart by relentless winds and torrential downpours; but through its pain and as it bows down, rays of sunshine often find their way through the surrendered openings and fall upon those huddled in its shadow …
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(When we need comfort and are given comfort, it is given to overflowing that we may, in our very real understanding, comfort those who walk beside us upon the road of affliction) …
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“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:4 KJV
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IMAGINE THAT YOUR HEALING IS A ROSE … NOW EACH THORN YOU HAVE TO CLIMB TO REACH THAT BEAUTIFUL FRAGRANCE WILL MAKE YOU STRONGER AND STRONGER EACH DAY … DON’T LOSE HOPE … YOU WILL BLOOM AGAIN
❤
DON’T EVER BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE THE ILLNESS YOU HAVE IS INVISIBLE, THAT HEALING WILL NEVER BE VISIBLE
❤
© 2014 – present Liana Wendy Howarth
Through Eyes of Mist … My Latest Book
Hi everyone,
I know it’s been a while since I posted. I hope you are all doing really well, and finding joy in each new day, even through the trials.
Just sharing my new book with you. A little of my life story.
It will be available for a very short time at a reduced price … I am not sure when it will increase to $12.95 US … just waiting for change to occur.
I thank any of you who do purchase it, and pray that in some way you will be blessed.
Liana.
I’M WAITING BY THE POOL OF HEALING (Song Lyrics)
Dedicated to all who need a touch of pure love and healing from the only One who can truly heal. The Healer Himself. Our heavenly Father, in the beautiful name of Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit …
Chorus
I’m waiting by the pool of healing
Waiting for someone to lift me in
Watching others, they go before me
They are healed and I’m waiting still; but
In my greatest need as the tears fall
Jesus can heal before I go in
So many years I’ve waited
Blindly trying many paths
Always hoping that it would be my turn
But alas, others had the joys and laughs
Day after day after day
Month after month after year
Wallowing in much concealed self-pity
Kept in bondage by hidden lies and fear
Feeling disheartened and sad
Wondering how to go on
Able to read of His grace and mercy
But still unable to sing my heart’s song
Chorus
I’m waiting by the pool of healing
Waiting for someone to lift me in
Watching others, they go before me
They are healed and I’m waiting still; but
In my greatest need as the tears fall
Jesus can heal before I go in
But then one day the light shone
Shone though it never had dimmed
The light was always upon His sweet word
And now my heart saw what my eyes had skimmed
I went to the healing pool
Again nothing had it changed
But there for the first time I met Jesus
Who’d come searching for me where I now laid
And as He said to this child
Child, do you want to be well
I answered and said, I’m listening dear Lord
Only You can lift from this place I fell
My heart listened
My eyes glistened
My Saviour lent down in love
I’m here for you now
And I’ve always been
I’ve just waited for you to look above
Rise, take up your bed and walk
And in His strength I could do
Something that years had prevented me from
Rising up, going forth into things new
Chorus
Oh! I waited by the pool of healing
Waited for someone to lift me in
Watched others, they went before me
They were healed and I no longer wait; ’cause
In my greatest need as the tears fell
Jesus healed me before I went in
© 2016 – present Liana Wendy Howarth
Just When I Thought
So just when I thought
It is well, ‘Praise the Lord’ at long last
Along comes another test
And once again I relive the past
So much sadness, tears
I cannot understand
This wheel, it just keeps turning
Spinning webs of too soft sand
And on this whirling sand
No security is found
To find a foothold fast
On a haven needed sound
But there is much strength deep within
Hidden, revealed and yet
For underneath that sinking sand
Is solid rock on which my feet do set
© 2012 – present Liana Wendy Howarth
I’VE BEEN IN THE VALLEY (A Song of Encouragement for Those Entering in, Already in, or Leaving)
Lord, there was a time
You walked me through the valley
But You have lifted me, yes me
Upon the mountain realm so high
Lifted me out of desperation
Lifted me from despair
And now my dearest Saviour
At last I breathe the mountain air
Feel new strength and life again
O sweet mountain air
O sweet mountain air
Chorus
O I’ve been in the valley
Where many have passed before in pain
Many are soon to enter this journey
And their life will never be the same
Yes, I’ve been in the valley
Where many tears washed the road that heals
Washed and released many a treasure
That only a walk in the valley reveals
Lord, it used to be
That I thought I’d never leave
Never escape this weary way
Where the birds were ever silent
And no sweet flower bloomed for me
Day and night, the turmoil
Kept me from sensing any love
Until You Lord, this illness rent
O You freed me, lifted me
And this illness rent
And this illness rent
Chorus
O I’ve been in the valley
Where many have passed before in pain
Many are soon to enter this journey
And their life will never be the same
Yes, I’ve been in the valley
Where many tears washed the road that heals
Washed and released many a treasure
That only a walk in the valley reveals
O I praised Him when the road was dim
I praise Him now, I praise, praise Him
I praise Him now, I praise, praise Him
Yes, I praised Him when the road was dim
And I praise Him now, I praise, praise Him
I praise Him now, I praise, praise Him
Lord, there was a time
You walked me through the valley
© 2014 – present Liana Wendy Howarth
‘Move That Mountain’ – Encouragement, Hope and Truth When All Seems Lost
And when all seems like it is lost
And those that surround you, that you love at all cost
Are walking along a different road
So are unable to help you carry the load
And when there is darkness from a mountain in sight
One that cannot be conquered without a brave fight
Cry out to Him who has already trod the path
Take His hand, don’t let go, though others may laugh
And make you feel guilty, unworthy, unloved
Incapable to surrender all cares to above
Reach out, reach out, step in time with the Saviour
The mountain can’t harm you with Jesus your Saviour
That mountain that threatens your very existence
Creates shadows and fears, doubts and resistance
Listen within for His saving still, small voice
For you can move mountains, with Him as your source
© 2013- present Liana Wendy Howarth
*** NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD ***
Six Years Without You
Six years today
Since you went away
The sweet memories
They do linger
Your name lives on
Upon new life
And every day
We all grow that much
Stronger
So much has changed
And you now have six
Adorable grandchildren
With another on the way
None of whom
You were blessed to see
But I know your children
Will, when the time is right
Share of your love one day
You were a dear son
A cherished brother
Husband, father, father-in-law
And life goes on
Season after season
The farmers still remember
The ones you cared for
The ones whose day you brightened
One day tears will be turned to joy and song
© 2014 – present Liana Wendy Howarth
Never Give Up
Today is the anniversary of my mother’s death. I felt to share this again and maybe encourage if but one …
Eight years ago, my beautiful mother passed away. Six years ago, my wonderful brother passed away. She was eighty, he was forty-eight. She had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, he had Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. Neither knew the Lord when diagnosed. So I say never give up.
So many times during the course of mother’s illness, we would talk about my precious Lord. Her beliefs were scattered though and she loved anything to do with Tibet. Whenever we discussed anything to do with the Bible, she somehow managed to skirt around the topic and the subject was closed. This always happened. She was looking for something and would try anything and listen to anyone about everything. Yes, it’s important to listen to others; but not at the expense of one’s eternal life. Everything seemed like a joke. She would go to church; but was forever questioning, sometimes in the middle of a service (makes me smile now; but quite embarrassing at times).
Her illness stayed in remission for about five years. It returned. In the final couple of weeks, the questions continued. I played beautiful Christian music for her when she could no longer get out of bed. I had the Bible in audio form and jamming the repeat button, played the Psalms for her, just on low; but high enough for her too drink in God’s promises.
My Pastor’s mother visited and the questions, yes they kept coming. Still she was undecided. We showed her a plaque with “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. Still she questioned. Oh! The questions. The Name of Jesus was highlighted for her in the Scripture verse. No other god, image, idol.
Suddenly the Light began to enter her understanding and I believe it was then, only a few short weeks before she died, that she finally began to stop fighting and accept and be loved by Jesus. He had opened her eyes. She questioned again, but she had changed. God’s love shone through her. She had us throw out a statue on her windowsill. A peace settled on her. On us.
Hospital then the nursing home awaited. Psalm 23 played on and on and on. It was also above her head on a beautifully carved, wooden wall hanging. The Shepherd Psalm filled her very being. She couldn’t escape it.
The day she passed was so sad and yet so peaceful. With her last breaths few and far between, (by now my Father and I believed she had gone), I whispered into her ear that Jesus loved her and so did we. All of a sudden she breathed a great breath. It was such a shock that I jumped back and her bed moved, which was a further shock as I didn’t realize that the brakes weren’t on. Such a beautifully painful death. Yet I witnessed her spirit leave. I sensed it. I sensed her life depart.
Praise God, she is with Him. All of those years causing friction, sadness, questioning, frustrations all accumulated into one glorious ending. Underneath are the Everlasting Arms.
So never give up. There is always hope. In every breath, there is hope.
My brother endured months of horrendous treatment and was in ICU for many weeks with only about eight months from diagnosis to final hour. He didn’t believe in God either and conversations between us became somewhat heated at times. Sadness prevailed.
In hospital I would try and once again bring Jesus into the discussions. Not interested. I would pray silently by his bedside when we were the only ones in his room.
Then came the call. I asked his wife to place the phone to his ear. She said he wouldn’t hear me. I spoke lovingly to him of the Lord and prayed desperately for him. All I could hear was laboured breathing. Finishing just as she came back onto the line, I praise God that I was able to witness to him, one last time.
He died. I left him with God. I just didn’t know.
But I never gave up. Nothing is impossible with God.
CLICKETTY CLACK, CLICKETTY CLACK
Something my Papa said to me
“Clicketty Clack, clicketty clack
Do you remember it, do you remember it
Clicketty Clack, clicketty clack
The noise of the train on the railway track?”
Sometimes we remember the noise of the circumstance and not the actual journey …
Sometimes we remember the impact on our senses and not the beautiful scenery which passes us by …
Sometimes we remember the constant repetition of trials which do beset us at times; but fail to rest in the silent intermissions …
As we remember, may we never forget the blessings that come to hold us together during those days of heaviness, darkness, sickness, or loss.
© 2016 Liana Wendy Howarth
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