Better Hands

A few months ago my friend made me a CD with a few songs that I had requested to 'borrow' from his musical library. For the remaining track selections he filled it with thoughtful choices that were both old friends, but also some new songs that were completely appropriately picked based on some of the things I was going through at the time. I have kept this CD in my car since March, and have even selected some of the songs off of it to include in separate play lists on my ipod. 

I like many, find that music speaks to me in a language I can't formulate in any other capacity. On that mix cd this friend made me contained the song Better Hands by Natalie Grant. I loved it upon first listen, and have since the first play continue to return to this particular song. In trying to find some new music I have been utilizing my xm radio in the car and have been tuning into the Christian channel just surfing around. For the past three days on the way to work I have heard Better Hands play, and have thoughtfully listened to it praying that the Lord would have the lyrics penetrate my heart and spirit.

In it she sings:

"It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
Its like the world is silent though I know it isn't true
Its like the breath of Jesus is right here in this room.

I am strong all because of you
I stand in awe of every mountain that you move
Oh I am changed, yesterday is gone
I am safe from this moment on"

I know that we are all self absorbed and selfish people. I know that what I struggle in my life is real, it can be damaging, it can control me, and it can ruin things of true love and purpose when I am not guarded. I know that I believe things that aren't true, and yet I can proclaim the gospel in my heart while believing such lies. I have struggled with understanding the point, and I have been on the quest for more then what I've been given. My thirst for control is unquenchable and my desire for perfection is paralyzing. 

And yet, I can look back on mountains that have been moved. I can reflect on ways that I have been changed, and have embraced the new day. I have been able to completely grasp and understand the safety I have while in the loving embrace of the Savior. This song is a gift to me from a friend who knew not what it would become in my life. He didn't know that I would attach my heart to it, or that I would pray for the truth in it to resonate my fleeting bouts of doubt or struggle. He didn't know that while believing I reside in the better hands of the Creator of the universe, that I would need something to ring in my ear and whisper truth of Jesus' presence in my room, in the dark corners and places...in my life, in my heart, and in my future. I know that I'm in better hands. I know that when I seek to be made whole or to be fixed in means of this earth I will never find the cracks in my armor truly mended or sealed over. There is only one solution... and only one place to rest. 

Songs have always been woven in and out of stories in my life and references to experiences, places, and people I have loved. Everyone that I have loved in my life has a song associated with them, some have complete musical anthologies. This connection of a tune to an emotion has been part of my heart for as long as I can remember. I am thankful that in my life I can receive gifts from friends in the music they pass along to me, and I am thankful that I can be as inspired by the lyric combined with a melody that has helped me create part of my own story, shed some light on the journey, and more times than not has heightened an awareness and brought me closer to the Lord. 

This song... was a gift a few months ago. This song... has showed up this week in a divine reminder that the hands I seek are that of the Creator.