Thank You For My Life

So this upcoming weekend, I will be a part of the Stage Play entitled "In Praise" at Newark Symphony Hall (SHAMELESS PLUG).  One of the songs I was requested to sing for this event is Smokie Norful's Dear God.  Now I'll admit, prior to this time, I had never heard of this song before in my life.  But when I did listen to it for the first time (in a mad haste to cram the song in my brain), I fell INSTANTLY in love with it.  I could relate to almost every single word in this song.

From my previous posts, you can see that I've been in a very introspective, reflective mood this year.  That's the thing I love about this song.  It's very reflective in nature.  It looks into the fact that honestly, life sucks sometimes.  There are times when the weight of the world is too heavy.  There are times where it seems like those people who call themselves our friends just disappear when you need them most.  There are times when we set expectations for ourselves...and we FAIL. There are times where we see our dreams crushed or deferred by life.  

It pulls on pretty much all the usual strings we've become accustomed to when it comes to Gospel music.  But this song isn't just the "How I Got Over" norm.  It's an acknowledgement that things have been tough, but yet and still, God was there...guiding us to victory.  And in retrospect, the bad days haven't been that bad. Why? Because we're still here. But there is one stanza in particular stands out as my favorite:

And if I never live to see another day   /   There is nothin' I would change or take away   /   I've had so many ups that they far outweigh my downs   /   Lord, I thank You for my life  

And that is MY story today.  Life has been crazy, but there is nothing that I would change or take away.  With every struggle I've experienced, I can say right now that I am the happiest I have ever been.  I'm stronger, wiser, slower (I was doing too much), and more appreciative.  I am now loving harder than ever, enjoying the little things in life, and appreciating ME more than I ever have.  I am rejuvenated and ready for the world.

So at the end of the day, this song helps me understand and proclaim this great phrase I heard (and am now adding to)...Lord, thank you for my wonderful, beautiful, mysterious, magical, mess of a great Life. #IAmBlessed

MD

Lyrics Can Be Found Here