Words are a gift priceless beyond measure; something we often take for granted until they are not there.
One of the sorrows of many of life’s sufferings is the way it can rob us of our words. Stripped of the strength to pour them out or possibly even to take them in, we realize a vast source of sustenance has been withdrawn.
This has been my experience to some degree in recent years, and it has been a painful one. But right now it seems that cloud is lightening, and it is such a joy to find the richness of words right there waiting for me.
My relationship with words as a means of assimilating life runs deep. Lately I find myself taking in words like a ravenous soul. And the desire to pour them out is there in equal measure. However, my writing “muscle” feels weak and is stumbling to regain its footing.
To that end, I am going to attempt a little series here. A focus that has been on my mind to write about for years is feeling like a beautiful place to “take up my pen” again. I hope it may provide some encouragement for all, as well as give me a chance to explore something I deeply love and get a little mental exercise to boot!
So without further ado, here we go…
Jon Foreman, Switchfoot & Me
Chapter 1 – Meeting the Legend
Sitting cross-legged on my bed my teenage eyes scanned a CD club catalog, eagerly circling the albums that were going to arrive as my pile of CDs for a penny. I don’t know if anyone else remembers such clubs, but to me they seemed like stumbling across a treasure chest.
While choosing my selections a particular album cover caught my eye. I’d never heard of the band, and didn’t really understand the album title; but I was intrigued, so I added it to my list.
When my cache of music arrived, I found myself holding The Legend of Chin in my hands.
A voice that soothed me drew me in, and as I entered, I found the words of a budding poet who spoke to so many of my thoughts and feelings I was amazed.
Might Have Ben Hur touched a spot in my dreamy adolescent heart. Chem6A was a happy thrill to sing along with. The calming stillness of Don’t Be There and You gave me a place to rest.
And the song that held me like no other was the one that gave both expression and hope to a soul already weighed down by shadows of melancholy. Life and Love and Why put into words the struggles of my mind as I wrestled with my encounters with the darkness and light in the world. And then it affirmed the Light I had come to know; the one that overcomes the darkness.
Could it be true
Can life be new
Could it be all that I am
Is in You
Clarifying words that reminded me I was not alone as I warily set my toes onto the path life held for me.
