If mercy falls upon the broken and the poor, Dear Father, I will see you, there on distant shores. I have toiled for countless years and ever felt the cost, and I’ve been burned by this world’s cold, like leaves beneath the frost. On my knees I’ve crawled to You, bleeding myself dry. But the price of life is more, than I could ever buy. And off of the blocks, I was headstrong and proud, at the front of the line for the card-carrying, highbrowed.

With both eyes fastened tight, yet unscarred from the fight. Running at full tilt, my sword pulled from its hilt. It’s funny how these things can slip away, our frail deeds, the last will wave good-bye. It’s funny how the hope will bleed away, the citadels we build and fortify.

Good-Bye. Night came and I broke my stride, I swallowed hard, but never cried. When grace was easy to forget, I’d denounce the hypocrites, casting first stones, killing my own. You would unscale my blind eyes, and I stood battered, but more wise, fighting to accelerate, shaking free from crippling weight. With resilience unsurpassed, I clawed my way to You at last. And on my knees, I wept at Your feet, I finally believed, that You still loved me.

Healing hands of God have mercy on our unclean souls once again. Jesus Christ, Light of the World, burning bright within our hearts forever. Freedom means love without condition, without beginning or an end. Here’s my heart, let it be forever Yours, only You can make every new day seem so new.

Reese Roper

For my own sake, I’ll go with the latter.

I am going to keep a list of things I love. They will be in no particular order. Just a running tab of things I love (if you are interested in my list, see the top right hand corner of the site). This list will be my way of trying to maintain focus. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (Phil 4:8).

Thanks Jon for the inspiration.

At the time of writing, I was away from home, and was thinking about how protective I was being as a Dad and wondering if it was healthy. My fear of Emma being hurt seemed to keep me from letting her try things that might cause her harm. The “pre-chorus” (there is no chorus in this song – it’s just one long thought) changed in tone a bit. I anticipated Benji singing that part with me, and it almost becoming the lament of all fathers. That maybe somewhere along the way, we’ve all lost sight of what our true role is. I was slowly learning that like a mama bird who has to let her baby learn to fly, there is a risk involved. Maybe she’ll fall. Maybe she’ll die. Or…maybe she’ll fly.

The sentiment in the words are still there for me, but they are also taking on new meaning as these days keep moving on.

I still pray she learns to fly.

FLY

We live our days without speaking

I let your life pass you by

What’s your world without dreaming?

I know there’s more to this life

Maybe we’ve been fools

Maybe we’ve been wrong

I don’t know how

But we’ve lost our song

My eyes are full of your tears

You look up to the atmosphere

You’re calling my name, my name tonight

From your lips, it sounds so right

Maybe it was me

Maybe it was you

Maybe all of us

Still don’t know the truth

Would you hear me out?

I can hear you too

Maybe you’ll fall

Maybe you’ll die

Maybe you’ll fly