Pay Day

Hey babe we made it to pay day
Hey babe we're rich
Hey babe it might not stay this way
You know how fortune can switch

Hey babe. New month, new story
Hey babe, I feel good
Hey babe, I'm a new man, repenting
It's time I act like I should

You're a state that works, alright
Maybe better for others than for us
But I can't let you stay up worried all night
It's not in our money that we can trust

Hey babe I know I've been distant
Hey babe I'm just stressed
But hey babe, we’ve been up on tithing
He'll pluck us out of this mess …. right?

Hey babe, today's been a good day
No bills in the mail
Hey babe, I think the wind of favor
Is filling up in our sails

I can't let you stay up worried all night
It's not in our money that we can trust

Suspended and Safe

Eddies curl by underneath
But we watch from above warm and dry
Like spectators with front row seats
At rest while we bask in your light

Suspended and safe now in this season
Suspended and safe because you’re here
You’ve measured up to your reputation
And neutralized all of my fear

Perfect grace and provision
Simple undeserved and so profound.
Staring at the current’s strength
I know that on our own, we would surely drown

But we’re above, warm and dry
Yet I’m foolish and forgetful to my core
But you’ve never been surprised
You’re just that good today and forevermore

Suspended and safe now in this season
Suspended and safe because you’re here
You’ve measured up to your reputation
And neutralized all of my fear
Neutralized all of my fear

Sheep

What a joy it is
Oh what a joy to be one of your sheep
And follow as I am led

Your rod, your staff
Patiently guide my path
And I hear your still, small voice in my head

This comfort
This confidence
Oh, what a joy
This privilege
This assurance
Daily I will employ

What a joy it is
To see your will be done
I’ll do whatever you ask

You give me rest
And show me pastures where I can lie
And seek me out each time that I am downcast

This comfort
This confidence
Oh, what a joy
This privilege
This assurance
Daily I will employ
Daily I will employ
Daily I will employ

Pasture

All the time and all the plans
I made striving to achieve
No real value, no mark to leave

I’ve met myself enough times
to know I could get lost in it all
Mindlessly locked in the rise and fall

But how do you feel when you see me?
Couldn’t that be the best way to measure my life?
What comes to mind when I greet you?
How do you feel when I walk out the room?

Some may call me people pleasing or undedicated
But the truth is that I pledge allegiance to only the precious
Investments intangible treasures that out last my breathing
Relationships, good health, and giving of myself, etcetera

So how do you feel when you see me?
Couldn’t that be the best way to measure my life?
What comes to mind when I greet you?
How do you feel when I walk out of the room?

Labor Day

We bathed in Lake Superior
and I caught a hint of fear in your voice
When you asked what we would do
With the power of choice

Water droplets blurred by view of you
and the water chilled through and through
but my imagination caught fire
Silhouetted by the northern sunset
You were posed to inspire

Oooo, that was Labor Day
Oooo, but September is so far away

The view from the balded mountaintop
Self-heralded strength from the outcrop
Raindrops just seemed to appear
Despite mist and fog in the atmosphere
My vision was crystal clear

The lake rose and then poured out on us
Respect and fear gave birth to trust
Until morning’s puffy face
Sent thunder rolling across the bay
The Great Lynx fell back in place

Oooo, that was Labor Day
Oooo, but September is so far away
Oooo, that was Labor Day
Oooo, but the magic is so far away

Hand-Sized Cloud

I see a hand-sized cloud
Coming our way
But the prayers won’t stop
Until it rains

I’ve run 100 miles today
I’m a little sore
Won’t you grant me a breath
Before you call me to more

Why me?
What’s this season all been for?
Why us?
What’s the point of all this back & forth
Since you’re not tired of my prayers,
Here come some more

How long have you called us
To this ravine?
Vegan for cost’s sake, daily leafy greens
So much rice and beans

This affects more than just me, now
I know you’re aware
So where is the lesson to learn, I’m begging
Please teach me, I’m searching, Where?

Why me?
What’s this season all been for?
Why us?
What’s the point of all this back & forth
Since you’re not tired of my prayers yet
Here come some more

Shepherd

Let it be enough
Let it be enough to get me through
Could it be enough
Just the pups at my feet and going to bed with you

‘Cause I’m tired and I’m worried
but mostly tired of being worried and asking “How?”
Won’t you save me, Lord Jesus
From the expectation that I’ll know how to work this out

One eye on our debt
One eye keeping tabs on our bank accounts
Lowering the first
And trying my best to keep the other from running out

Full attention on our marriage
Full attention brings to light all the flaws
And obsession over details
Instead of obsession over grace, that could end it all

The truth is that I can’t make it
And my old man was right
Can’t do much of anything, least of all survive —
Not without the Shepherd at my side

Don’t say the word ambition
Oh, the dreams I have to make things true and pure
Just an off’ring no matter how small
If I could find the time, I know I could find a cure

She could be here any day now
Any day now I’d better learn
To be thankful for a little
Or gracious with a lot if it comes my turn

The truth is that I can’t make it
And my old man was right
Can’t do much of anything, least of all survive —
Not without the Shepherd at my side

Elephants

Outfitted in tutus
The softest of pink
A laugh bursts through my saliva webbed lips
And tears fall like bombs in the sink

Elephant patterns
Your tear stained face
Glasses shattered, schedules scattered
And the last thing that we need is some space

Lean in and
Learn how to let me down
Forgive my sins
I've vanished before
I'm not afraid of the ground
Ooo, you're my greatest songs

No diagnosis
The treatment for this
Is in the form of laughter
The morning after
Cozy covered kiss

Lean in and
Learn how to let me down
Forgive my sins
I've vanished before
I'm not afraid of the ground
Ooo, you're my greatest songs
No matter what else I do my whole life long

For five sick long months
I heard them gnaw at the door
But a whisper: “Fear not, little flock.
I’ve been here before.”
Yeah, “Fear not, little flock.” He’s been here before

Lean in and
Learn how to let me down
Forgive my sins
I've vanished before
I'm not afraid of the ground

Till Death Do Us Part

The hands of time are gripping my throat
As days pass by, and I’m starting to choke up
One by one, our future’s length wanes
I’m panicking, and it’s starting to rain

Don’t let your mind entertain these thoughts
Think of each day and the blessings it brought
Don’t let your mind get ahead of itself

I try not to think of how this will end
but the cold, hard truth is unwilling to bend
We’ll say goodbye for the last time someday
It’s unfair, it’s unkind, but it’s the only way

Don’t let your mind entertain these thoughts
Think of each day and the blessings it brought
Don’t let your mind get ahead of itself

I can't keep the voices at bay
They're whispering in my ear
The paralyzation grows stronger
You say there's no room for fear

But when we said "I do"
We weren't thinking of our last days lived alone
So when I say I love you, I mean all that that entails
And in need you to know what I know

Oh, Lord, please bless us with long lives
And help me not to think of when death will arrive