Well, one day I was having a really miserable time, and I opened my mouth to sing, and the most amazing song came out instead of the unhappy one I had thought I would sing. It was a praise piece we do at church, "In Moments Like This." The tone of the song is one I always associated with happiness, and praising God from that mood. But this was like music therapy--- and there are a few more I know that work that way too. Instant lift, when I least think a lift is possible. (In fact, I copy-edited a whole book on praise, and it is amazing how powerful praise is to counter any negativity, and the book shows how and why.)

Well, I don't have the songbook here at work, but the song I referenced goes something like this, and you can adapt it with any names....:

In moments like this, I lift up my voice, I lift up a lovesong to [Jesus],
In moments like this, I lift up my voice, I lift up my voice to [my Lord.]
Singing I love you, [Lord];
Singing I love you, [Lord]}.
Singing I.... love.... you... [Lord],
I love you.

Then there is In His Time.... or Beauty for Ashes, even better:

He gave me Beauty for Ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise
For the spirit of heaviness
That we might be trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord,
That He might be glorified.

These are all available on Maranatha or Integrity/Hosanna praise music recordings. And Christian radio is an amazingly supportive resource.

And of course I will pray for you and your family. Feel free to send me a personal message if you want to discuss further... some things really just suck, don't they?

~Susan