A Reminder for Tenderness...

On my way home the other day I heard an interview with Sara Groves on the radio, discussing her newest album; a snip from this was was played. Sara says that in this album she writes for the first time about a dark period -- "year seven" -- she and her husband went through in their marriage. It struck my heart so heavily and painfully how her lyrics truly depict what happens too many times when spouses argue. "Oh run for your life, all tenderness is gone. In the blink of an eye, all good will has withdrawn..." I think every married couple has been there; that painful moment in an argument or disagreement when your sweet loving and tender caring for one another disappears to be replaced by blank stares and stubborn will as you "mark out your paces" and your listening hearts close up and harden ...how painful, how powerful.

What a reminder of such the precious blessing the Lord has given me in my husband and how I so desperately want to protect his heart from the hurt that I am capable of inflicting through my own selfish humanity. Lord help me to love my husband the way You would want me to; even in conflict.

This song brought me to tears and repentance; I hope it impacts your heart as strongly as it has impacted mine...

Sara Groves: "It's Me" 

weather came and caught us off our guard
we were just laughing and feelin' alright
had such a great time just last night
we walked into a minefield undetected
you took a tone and I took offense
anger replacing all common sense

oh run for you life
all tenderness is gone
in the blink of an eye
all good will has withdrawn
and we mark out our paces and
stare out from our faces
but baby you and I are gone gone gone

incomprehensible layers of isolation
now your the man with a heart of stone
making me pay here by being alone
seemingly justified righteous indignation
now I'm the woman who holds all her pain
looking for somebody else to blame

we hold all the keys to our undoing
cutting me down in small degrees
you know my worst insecurities
I'm making no effort to understand
no one can hurt you like I can
deep down inside the girl's waking up
she's calling out to the boy she loves

it's me
oh baby it's me
how in the world can tenderness be gone
in the blink of an eye

the girl in me she's callin out
oh the girl in me she's callin out
to the boy in you
to the boy in you

baby come back
baby come back to me