We went to see two of our favorite singer/songwriters, Sandra McCracken and Derek Webb, this weekend at 3rd and Lindsley. It was a great show. I always end up feeling encouraged after hearing Sandra’s songs. In her set, Sandra said lightheartedly that sometimes you just have to confess truth even if you don’t believe it at the time, and your heart will catch up. Even though she was just talking about the highs and lows of raising a toddler, that statement resonated with me on a deeper level. I think lately I’ve been having to do that myself—confess things that I know to be true, even if my heart doesn’t necessarily feel it at the time. Just because I’m having trouble believing it at the time doesn’t make it any less true. So I continue to speak truths to myself in the hopes that my heart will catch up. So I thought I would share with you a song of Sandra’s that has been speaking to my heart over the last few days. When she performed it on Saturday I heard the lyrics in a new way and they were comforting to me. Hopefully it is encouraging to you as well [click here to listen as you read]:
I confess the things I am afraid of: thorns and danger just around the bend.
I pray for tongues of fire and bands of angels to come and circle ‘round me like a fence.
I lift my eyes to the hills, where comes my help?
I lift my hands—empty hands—I can’t help myself
I can’t help myself; no, I can’t help myself
My enemies surround me like an army; within, without, the battle’s raging on.
I pray the Spirit will be strong and mighty for courage through the night until the dawn.
I lift my eyes to the hills, where comes my help?
I lift my hands—empty hands—I can’t help myself
I can’t help myself; no, I can’t help myself
Oh, trust the Lord, my soul and all that is in me; oh trust the light to show your darkest parts.
With wounds of truth and love, a friend who has known me; a fool would keep his secrets in his heart.
I lift my eyes to the hills; here comes my help
I lift my hands—empty hands—I can’t help myself
I can’t help myself, can’t help myself
Can’t help myself; no, I can’t help myself; I can’t help myself.