If that isn't love

Lately, I've been loving traditional hymns like "Precious Memories", "If that isn't love", "What a Friend we have in Jesus", and "I know Who holds tomorrow." Those songs seem to have more meaning than a lot of the music written today because of their timelessness. They've been around for years and will keep on being sung, as long as I have breath. 

These songs were written in a time before the internet made it easier to popularize songs, before auto-tune existed to make everything sound perfect, by people who just loved God and weren't afraid to show it. These people didn't write music to get a top selling hit, to get a lot of fans, or to play on television. They focused more on the words and meaning of a song than on creating a catchy tune or good bass line/drum solo/whatever is popular. 

I love all kinds of music, but those hymns mean more to me than any song written today because of their depth and history.

I encourage you to take the time to sing or listen to some of those traditional hymns and timeless gospel songs.

I'm counting on you

But where are the heroes,

Where are the dreams that I had

When I was young?

Am I hoping in vain, just to think

She could change anything?

Well, I'm counting on you.

My generation is losing its way

We don't know what we're leaving for you.

There is so much to know,

There is so far to go,

But you are not alone

When this is your world and 

I'm counting on you.

-I'm Counting on You by Chris de Burgh-

This song. Just this song. Especially this recording of it. Do yourself a favor and just listen to it.

Go ahead. I'll wait.

Did you listen?

Now you know what I've been hearing for the last 20 minutes.

This song just says it all.

I'm growing up. I'll be 18 in a couple of weeks. I'm applying to colleges. There is so much that I don't know, so far I have to go.

I keep fluctuating between being excited to head out and start a new journey and feeling scared to death of that exact thing. I know this is normal, but that doesn't stop this constant pendulum of dread and anticipation. As high school stresses and pressures continue to mount, I just need to remember that God is in control and this will soon be over.

There is so much to know,

There is so far to go,

But you are not alone.

I'm counting on you.

Amusement Park Daydream

I sit down and buckle myself into the swing. I sit, waiting for the ride to begin. The chains jerk. I slowly start moving forward. I go higher. My eyes close and I stretch out my arms. I feel as if I am soaring higher and higher with nothing holding me down. 

So this is what it feels like to fly.

The chains jerk. I open my eyes and see my swing and buckle. The ground is under my feet. My flight is over. As I walk away, I turn and look back at the swings, saying good-bye to my amusement park daydream.

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