Daily Reflection: 18th Day of Lent

Nothing jumped out at me from the readings today, so it’s time for another song - Jaci Velasquez’ “Lay It Down”:

I’ve been lookin’ till my eyes are tired of lookin’
Listenin’ till my ears are numb from listenin’
Prayin’ till my knees are sore from kneelin’ on the bedroom floor
I know that you know that my heart is achin’
I’m running out of tears and my will is breakin’
I don’t think that I can carry the burden of it anymore
All of my hopes and my dreams and my best laid plans,
Are slowly slippin’ through my folded hands

So I’m gonna lay it down
I’m gonna learn to trust You now
What else can I do
Everything I am depends on You
And if the sun don’t come back up
I know Your love will be enough
I’m gonna let it be, I’m gonna let it go,
I’m gonna lay it down.

I’ve been walkin’ through this world like I’m barely livin’
Buried in the doubt of this hole I’ve been diggin’
But You’re pullin’ me out
I’m finally breathin’ in the open air
This room may be dark but I’m finally seein’
There’s a new ray of hope, and now I’m believin’
That the past is past, and the future’s beginning to look brighter now
Oh, cause all of my hopes and my dreams and my best laid plans
Are safe and secure when I place them in Your hands

So I’m gonna lay it down
I’m gonna learn to trust You now
Oh what more can I do,
Cause everthing I am depends on You
And if the sun don’t come back up
You know Your love will be enough
I’m gonna let it be, I’m gonna let it go,
I’m gonna lay it down
I’m gonna lay it down
I’m gonna lay it down.

I remember when I first started learning this song for our church program, that the words didn’t totally hit me until days later. And then I stood there singing it with tears running down my cheeks because…wow.

…you’re pullin’ me out and I’m finally breathin’ in the open air…all of my hopes and my dreams and my best laid plans are safe and secure when I place them in your hands…everything I am depends on you…

I only wish I could write lyrics like that. So, so beautiful. So inspiring and comforting.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Help us to lay our burdens down, to give them to you who are stronger than we could ever imagine. You can and will carry them for us if we just let them go, let them be, and lay them down.
In the name of Jesus the Christ,
Amen