You Raise Me Up

There is a story in the Bible that basically goes like this: The people of Israel were in battle against their enemies. Moses, their leader, stood on hill above them, and As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. (Exodus 17: 11-12)


I have so many people holding my arms up for me this year. They are lifting me up in prayer, prayers that I crave, I covet. I'm greedy for them. These prayers, and the people who utter them on my behalf, are keeping my arms steady. They are the reason I'm able to even get up in the morning and face another day.

So to J, a fellow teacher who was brave enough to start a prayer group at our school so we could gather together and lift each other up, thank you. Thank you for emailing me your encouragements and reminders that you are still holding my arms up for me, even as they grow too weary for me to lift on my own. To the small group members I've gotten to know over the last few weeks, thank you for bathing me in your grace and prayers even though we'd never met before. To my sweet friend Jen, thank you for your texts of encouragement, celebrating with me how far I've come (a whole week! my first month!) To those of you who send prayers Heavenward on my behalf, thank you. Keep them coming. I need them, I covet them.

It's been a harder road than I ever imagined. But with so many of you raising me up, I know I'll hold steady until sunset.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

- Josh Groban