Reality

Understanding fades
As I realize
I always reach
For the familiar
Instead of facing
What’s within.
Realization comes
Because I know
That what I reach for
Is not enough.
Reality creeps
Slowly over me
And I fall because
I can’t take this on.
And suddenly
The peace that passes
Is here, enduring.
So, in reality
I’m okay after all.

Father

I want to know a love without condition -
Hands that lift me up, not strike me down.
I want to know a father for what He truly is,
Just show me how to turn it all around.
No one says you look like him
You never had his smile,
Only features you can’t place
And blood to bridge the miles.
Examples of My character have fallen
Short of truth.
And I know you’ve always felt so
Separated.
But do you know I loved you far before
You were created?
I will be your Father.
Will you be My child?
I have been your Father.
I will be your Father.
So now I only have one question,
Will you be my child?

Rise

Raise your hand and I will cower
Threaten me and I will bend
Tell me I’m worthless, I’ll believe
And then we’ll start again.
You were a child and took us on
I was a child; I endured
You feel cheated and I, indebted
Neither one can see beyond.
But strike me down and see what happens
As I retreat and you despise
Although I may want to bow under you
I want this more: and still I rise.
So try to break me if you must
You never will succeed
‘Cause I have fire you can’t find-
Desire to be free.

Received

So many days spent just getting through
But I know I can't turn myself inside
Your eyes see deeper than I wanna show
Accepting me when I'm gonna explode.
Not sure when everything turned to grey
I just know it wasn't always this way
The light has dimmed but is not gone
Just gotta figure out how to get back home
God, can you hear me?
The faith I had is gone
'Cause I ain't a child no more
God... Oh, God, can you hear me?
You saw the pain I tried to hide
Cried and held me - I just sighed
Can't feel nothin' but the pain
But I know I'm not alone again.
When you reached out your hand
Offered it to help me stand
That's when everything came clear-
It's how I know God can hear me...