Soundtrack of Memories

Last week I left on Thursday morning at 6:30 for Amarillo to train a client on our software. I stopped to fill-up at the gas station, and then swung into Starbucks to get a coffee for the road. (By the way, while I was there I noticed that they have a Maple Macchiato, which I can tell you right now is going to be in my hands on October 30th as my own little "Happy Birthday" to me!) I set off with low expectations of the day, but put in my new Chris Rice CD "Short Term Memories" to pass the time. I was quite pleasantly surprised.

I was amazed at how the music lifted my spirit, and allowed me to enjoy my time on the road. With each song, was a new memory of time spent with friends enjoying the music. Making apple pie at Peggy Kretz's house for the first Fall Break. Driving to Louisville on a school night for a Chris Rice concert. Sitting in Erin's dining room working on some "craft" at Girls Weekend. Of course, all of those memories bring to mind other times where CR wasn't the soundtrack at the moment, but fun was had nonetheless. I started really appreciating the history that's shared with good friends, and being able to look back and see how they stood by you in hard times, and in celebrations, and just the everyday- like when Barry Manilow comes on the radio on the way to work in the morning. :)

Then, as if I wasn't already enjoying the moments, I began thinking about all the other people in my life that I care about, and miss seeing as often. I began daydreaming about what we'd do if we could see each other next weekend, or next summer, and what music we'd listen to, and drinking coffee together, or tea (for Melanie).

One of the songs on this CD is "Smile", which is about the songwriter's longing to be in heaven, and with his Lord. I can relate to that longing, and each time I listen to the song, I get a swell in my throat thinking about my true home in heaven, and what perfection that will be. It's easy to forget in the everyday of life, that we are foreigners passing through this place. This song reminds me of the relief that will be when we don't have to worry about the everyday, or the ways in which we've been hurt in this life. I've experienced some things that leave that deep bruise on your memory of how painful the moment was. And each time that memory bumps against something related, it smarts. I truly get weary of feeling that bruise, and wish that it could just always be avoided, though that's not a possibility in this life. One day, when He comes back for us, I will be overwhelmed with His glory and goodness, and will no longer remember the pain of those bruises, or the cares of this world. We'll go to a better place... what a future!

This makes me think about the present a little though, and how we handle pain here. I'm learning that even though there can be deep hurts committed against you, that you think will never pass, they are softened as you experience joy in other things. As the joy increases, the pain, and memory of it, decrease. What a small glimpse of what He must have in store for us. Can't wait!

Of course, the words of this song also made me think of these good friends and the desire to see them again.

"Smile"

How far are You?How close am I?
I know Your words are true when I don’t feel them inside
Still I believe You’ll never leave
So where are You now?

You’re all I haveYou’re all I’ve known
Your breath is breathing in my soul
Still I am gasping, aching, asking,
Where are you now?

‘Cause I just want to be with You
I just want this waiting to be over
And it helps to know the Day is getting closer
And it helps to know the day is getting closer
But every minute takes an hour
Every inch feels like a mile
Till I won’t have to imagine
And I finally get to see You smile!

I dream about Your promise to return
And I wake up hangin’ on Your every word
I just want to be with You
For now my feet are planted here on earth

My journey’s here, but my heart is There
So I dream and wait, and keep the faith,
while You prepare our destiny,
till You come back for me
Oh, please make it soon!

‘Cause I just want to be with You
I just want this waiting to be over
And it helps to know the Day is getting closer
And it helps to know the day is getting closer
But every minute takes an hour
Every inch feels like a mile
Till I won’t have to imagine
And I finally get to see You smile!

Copyright 2002 Clumsy Fly Music (ASCAP)