Kneel at the Cross

 "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him."
Psalm 28:7

When Kevin and I first started getting to know one another, one of the things I was most pleasantly surprised by was our mutual deep love for bluegrass music. I mean even in 1987, it was a rarity to find a young person anywhere who even knew what true bluegrass was, let alone someone who loved it as much as I did. 

I'll never forget the day we were chatting, and how shocked I was

when he told me of his love for the music I grew up on, and how his relative was in a bluegrass band. The next day, he brought in a cassette tape to prove it and lent it to me to listen to. Kevin's dad loved bluegrass, too, and all throughout his upbringing, Kevin listened to and developed a deep love for old country and bluegrass music, just like I did.

I was already falling for him, but when he told me all that—well, let's just say, it sealed the deal.😉

We started dating shortly thereafter, and when Mom and Dad met Kevin, they dearly loved him from the start. He and Dad shared the same sense of humor, and they could make me laugh until I cried. It didn't take any of us long to figure out that Kevin's knowledge of country music history is enormous, and he soon justifiably earned the nickname of "walking country music encyclopedia."

Many were the get-togethers we had with all four of our parents and other loved ones and nearly every single one of them involved my Daddy playing his banjo and/or guitar, me playing my guitar, and lots of downhome singing. Those memories are beyond precious to me and increasingly grow more so with the passing of time.

Left to right—My dear, sweet husband ever holding the microphone for me, me, and my dear daddy. (I had to chuckle when I noticed my father-in-law's feet in the photo.😀)

I miss those times more than I could ever put into words. When I was working on another song video recently, (I'll share about it soon, Lord willing), I dug through so many pictures that brought back such a tsunami of memories, I became overwhelmed to the point that I didn't think I could get through it. 

Very early on in our relationship, Kevin and I started singing together, and it is not only such a cherished part of our memories, but to this day, it remains such an integral part of our lives. I am SO thankful that even though all four of our parents and so many other dear loved ones have passed off the scene, Kevin and I can still share this precious part of our lives. 

I can't emphasize strongly enough how much Kevin loathes the spotlight, so chances are you won't ever see him in a YouTube video or standing on a stage with Mountain Hope Band. But he has, for the past 36 years, been my biggest fan, standing behind every single thing I've done, supporting my every single dream, waiting in the wings, cheering me on, encouraging my every endeavor, and continually telling me to press on, keep the faith, and never stop singing. (Read about our extraordinary experience recording two of my original songs in Nashville here and here.) 

Recently we sat down together and he kindly granted my request to record and upload one of our favorite old songs. The song was written by hymn writer, Charles E. Moody and has been recorded by multiple bluegrass and country singers/groups, beginning with the Stanley Brothers in 1953 and including the Louvin Brothers, Jim and Jesse McReynolds, Bill Monroe, Ricky Skaggs,  Alison Krauss, Chuck Wagon Gang, and Charlie Daniels.

Here's our version.

Kevin and Zach are literally Aaron and Hur to me, the two of them, one standing on each side of me, holding up my hands in every battle and circumstance, and always, always unfailingly supporting all God asks me to do. I have seldom done a gig with Mountain Hope that at least one of them hasn't been there bolstering my courage and providing a friendly face. The comfort and support they are to me are immeasurable gifts for which only eternity will allow me to praise God enough, and our times "kneeling at the cross" together will forever be a part of my most treasured times on this earth.

I hope as you listen to the words of this beloved hymn you will make the choice to kneel at the cross of Jesus. No matter what you are facing, going through, afraid of, dreading, or regretting, there is relief waiting for you there. Jesus bids you to come with this invitation from Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

Lately, during my talks with the Lord, I have been immeasurably blessed as His still small voice has repeatedly whispered, "What is bothering you?" I reply to Him by naming off the things that are weighing heavy on my mind. One by one, I mention them, and each time, I hear His precious voice respond with this one five-word response, "Lay it at My feet." So, I do. I mention a particular burden, He tells me to "lay it at His feet," and I envision myself dropping that burden at the foot of His cross. After I have released it, I hear Him ask again, "What is bothering you?" and I repeat the process until every single pressing worry has been laid at His feet. I can't even begin to tell you how much this has helped me. 

There is so much freedom to be found in kneeling at the cross! Oh, why do we refuse to do that? Why do we insist upon carrying such heavy weights on our shoulders when all along, Jesus is waiting for us to come to Him, lay our burdens down, and walk free? In the words of another precious old hymn, "Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear! All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer." ("What a Friend We Have in Jesus"—written by Joseph M. Scriven)

When you are going through hard places, it is easy to imagine that your burdens are heavier than everyone else's, to feel like God is punishing you, and to come to the conclusion that He has walked away and abandoned you. Each one of us has felt that, and even Jesus felt it when He cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46

The truth is that He suffered that awful alienation from God when He took upon Himself your sins and mine to bridge the gap between God and us. Sin created a barrier that none of us could ever tear down, but our dear Lord and Savior paid the penalty for our sins, demolishing that barrier once and forever!

 "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." Ephesians 2:11-18

It's all about the cross! 

Give Him your every burden. Lay them at His feet. Just let go! Trust Him. Your burdens are not too heavy for Him. Your problem is not too big for Him to solve. Your sin is not too horrific for Him to forgive. You are not too far gone. 

Kneel at the cross.