When I was a Clinical Pastoral Education student and chaplain at BJSP Hospital last summer, I shared this song with the rest of my CPE group. I explained to them, with some emotion, that these lyrics conveyed an important part of my idea of who God is and what God does for humanity. My God is a pastoral God, and I know that I can be safe in God's metaphorical hands when I am struck with fear or sorrow or worry.
When my aunt died a month later, my dad and I added this song to the playlist for her memorial service. We felt it went a long way towards expressing some of the pain and heartbreak the family was suffering. I don't know if the words gave solace to anyone else that day, but it was good for my soul.
And when I am baptized into the Community of Christ church this fall, I hope to have this song sung during the service. The overall theme for the service is the Parable of the Prodigal, and I think this ties in nicely. This sense of security in the loving presence of God is the foundation of my faith.
"Your Hands", JJ Heller
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That you would take my pain away
You would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave your hands
When you walked upon the earth
You healed the broken, lost and hurt
I know you hate to see me cry
One day you will set all things right
Yeah, one day you will set all things right
When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave your hands
Your hands that shaped the world
Are holding me
They hold me still
Your hands that shaped the world
Are holding me
They hold me still
When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave you
When my world is shaking, heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave
I never leave your hands
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