in soft remembrance

every autumn i feel the ache
wonder if i always will
seasons changing, if my bones don’t break
then my spirits cannot fail
hanging on to winter’s healing song
rest in peace under the chill
mother’s coming as the thunder shakes
every fortress that we’ve built

how long will i remember the fall
with the ending of an age
if it’s right why don’t i feel at all
have i entered a new stage
letting go is a lost art until
you need it to survive
growing quickly is a swallowed pill
but to live, you’ve gotta die

i feel it too
the winter’s growing on you
ripping in two
my heart is being renewed

make me new
i am ready to
make me new
i am ready

i couldn’t make you stay
it would be unkind
to mold you to this will of mine
what is there to say
keep reaching across the state lines
through miles and miles and zones of time

you couldn’t be farther from me
but deep in my heart i believe

love keeps trying
and hope keeps trying
if love means dying to what my heart wants
then i set you free
you’ll come back to me
not here, but maybe
we’ll be alright
lets prove it in time

i was spoiled sweet
with you near to me
almost constantly
friendship isn’t free
for a moment there it was easy
in a second you could come quickly

you couldn’t be farther from me
but deep in my heart i believe

love keeps trying
and hope keeps trying
if love means dying to what my heart wants
then i set you free
you’ll come back to me
not here, but maybe
we’ll be alright
lets prove it in time

earnestly “i love you,” and you said that you’re glad
i know you didn’t have the words to say it back
aphasia took your language, nothing in return
i know you missed your mother and regained every yearn
what was it that stopped you; your heart to slowly beat
could it have failed for heartache or anything less sweet?
i wish i knew you more, before all you became
a soul within a shell that’s trapped alone in dying flames
earnestly, “i love you,” couldn’t say it back
i hold onto the memories, for all the words you lacked

praise God for friction, the sting of conviction
I take up my cross for my own crucifixion
make no god of my feelings, Lord I surrender
less of my flesh, tear my heart, make me tender
praise God for healing, the shift I can't make
he gives and he gives and he gives and he takes
he knows what I need in the moment I need it
all that I need to live life in godliness
praise God for power, the indwelling Spirit
I am not left powerless, Thank God, I hear it
I choose obedience, and he gives the grace too
the strength and the faith I need to see it through
praise God for his love, all that I need
is found in his open hands, praise God indeed