This is my song and I am gonna praise You.
This is my song even if I can't sing.
These are the opening lines from a song I started writing back in October of 2009. Almost three years ago. When I first wrote these words and began to hear the melody in my head, my lungs were in pretty bad shape. I couldn't get enough air to sing or put dishes in the dishwasher without having a coughing/choking episode. These lyrics were complete opposite of what I felt like doing. I sat at my keyboard and pounded out the chords as tears splashed onto the keys. I wondered if I would ever sing again.
This is my song, with every breath I praise You.
A wise sister had encouraged me to praise God in spite of my physical ability to actually praise him in the way I preferred. She reminded me about that whole 'sacrifice of praise' thing that I'd heard preached from the pulpit more times than I cared to remember. It was beautiful advice for someone else and a whole lot harder to put into practice.
This is my song, I lay it at Your feet.
A few months ago while I was battling another round of the same annoying lung issue, I was finally able to add a chorus, a bridge, and a bunch of other stuff. This morning I had the privilege to sing this song in its completion with a full band and vocalists along with my church congregation. I cannot even begin to think of the words that describe the joy in my heart tonight. My hope is that the congregation was encouraged and that maybe, just maybe, the chorus has worked its way into their brains so much that they just can't stop singing it. And maybe, just maybe, the next time a situation comes along that makes them feel like they're losing it, they'll remember these words:
I'm gonna hold on to You
I'm gonna hold on to You
I'm gonna hold on to You
You won't let me go
It's a fight song. It's a sacrifice of praise song. It's a pressing through song. It's a hold on to your hat because it's a bumpy ride song. It's a new song.
He never let me go.
I waited patiently (not so patiently) for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry...He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.-Psalm 40:1,3 (emphasis mine) NIV
3 comments:
Love the song, Nichole! It reminds of the line in one of Casting Crowns songs, "I'm not holding onto you but you're holding onto me". I love that it is not in our strength! I love that He is holding onto me and it onl;y because of Him that we can make it!
Love ya! Kristy D.
Amazing Nic, amazing... the overflow of the heart that worships through and in spite of the pain is more precious to the Father than anything else you could give him... in truth it is the only thing you truly CAN give him that he didn't give to you first. It is all you have to offer, and Oh how sweet it smells to him!
Love the lyrics. What a wonderful praise post. I get emotional just thinking of what it must have been like for you leading your congregation in worship to your song, your "fight" song. Knowing all that it took to give it birth. Praise the Lord, for His mercies never fail, they are new every morning.
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