Laura’s Story... Blessings from God not the Lottery

Image by Tigner J.
Laura Story 2012 Dove Awards

Life’s surprises

Laura Story has been quoted many times as saying “Life is filled with things you don’t expect, but the Bible tells us to respond by trusting God and continuing to worship him.”  In 2012, Laura has maintained her praising and worshiping for all of God’s Blessings. It stands to reason why so many bountiful blessings have been bestowed to Laura.  For starters, winning a Grammy for the single “Blessings” which captured Best Contemporary Christian Music Song and most recently, taking home three coveted Dove Awards: Song of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year, and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.  There was a feeling of something special the night Story won her Dove awards, angelic praise to God for all he has done for Laura Story and her family.

2008 Dove Award

Laura’s story as a Christian artist began in 2008 catapulting her into the forefront as a talented worship leader and songwriter with a great future ahead. Not long after, she married her husband Martin, everything a person could ask for had manifested: doing what you love, married someone you love and most importantly loving and praising God. As tides ebbs and flows, storms will brew up without notice. For this worship leader at Perimeter Church, who currently resides in the Metro-Atlanta area there were days and nights which seem to be colder, longer, and not to mention darker while coping with her husband’s health.  The second stanza of “Blessings” conveys true passion of how many feel when facing situations that are completely out of our control:

Image by: Laura Story Music
Laura Story

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe*

Laura Story's Blessings
When asked to elaborate about “Blessings” and other experiences this year, Story stated “The song is probably my most favorite song I’ve written.” Blessings depict everything God has been teaching me. There was a slight emotional pause, she forces a smile while containing the tears.  Laura preceded by saying the song was written about a year ago, another pause this time, the eyes begin to tear up. “It [Blessings] reflects on the journey I’ve walked over the past five years with my husband dealing with a brain tumor and other disabilities caused from the tumor.”  In an attempt to explain how difficult it was to pen this song during trying times Laura had a change of thought, “I would have rather to write a song about winning the lottery and how I got blessed because it’s harder to write songs about hard times in your life (emotional pause).  She went on to say “In the middle of the storm is where God shows up most and “I also found people are more interested in your faith during hard and tough times than faith in winning the lottery.”

Facing problems daily
People face  predicaments daily, if you have not, just keep living.  These difficult times, quandaries, or dilemmas can cause a person to slip into a state of gloom or mild depression thus questioning God in their life and why is he not answering prayers.  Before Jesus’ death, at the Passover, he washed the feet of the disciples, Peter questioned Jesus and his actions his reply was “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand. John 13:7 Likewise In life there is bound to be pain and more often than not you will not understand God’s purpose but surely as there are storms & rain; just believe that the one who holds the storms will bring the sun. In retrospect just has God poured a song in Laura Story based her husband’s ordeal, God has a plan for you through your trials and tribulations. 

Metaphorically, you may perceive your life to be more like winter; blustery bone chilling wind slicing through you as if clothing was non-existent, causing the mind to revert to obscurity and depression. Mentality you hit a dead end; thoughts are jaded, vision hazy and decision making all a skew. You ask where is the joy and sunshine so often spoke of?  Why have my rays of hope chosen to abandon me during a time that joy is most desperately desired? Lord, stop this roller coaster because I want to escape but to your dismay the ride of life has no emergency switches just hold on tight and dare not let go!

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home*

Your mind is a powerful weapon that can be used to conquer the world or work against you. So, when facing trials and tribulations cast away your personal feelings that appear to be holding you back:  fear, doubt, money, jobs, health or love life. Hook yourself to the word, find ways to encourage and be encouraged.     What if trials of this life The rain, the storms, the hardest nights Are your mercies in disguise *

Everyone may not be a talented songwriter as Laura Story however you are blessed and highly favored as a child of God.   Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Hold on to God’s unchanging word.  As Laura Story so eloquently stated;   What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy*?  Realize no matter how terrifying this moment of time may be God is there waiting to comfort you.  For each moment of disparity, God has already thrown a life line to rescue.  We pray for blessings, we pray for peace Comfort for family, protection while we sleep. We pray for healing, for prosperity We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering All the while, You hear each spoken need Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things*.  Through every pain and struggle be like Laura Story and thank God for all of his blessings!

 For more information about Laura Story please go to www.laurastorymusic.com 

*Lyrics from Blessings; Laura Story; New Spring Publishing (ASCAP), Gleaning Publishing (ASCAP)

Tigner James