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I am standing by the river
I will be standing here forever Though you're on the other side My face you still can see Why won't you look at me? Here I am . . . Here I am . . . I stopped and got out of the flow of shoppers to hear more. Clearly, this wasn't a typical love song. I was hearing God calling out to Adam and Eve -- and their progeny: I am in the blood of your heart
The breath of your lungs Why do you run for cover? You are from the dirt of the earth And the kiss of my mouth I have always been your lover. Here I am . . . Here I am . . . I looked around the mall sure that someone else was hearing this, too. But the crowds shuffled by unmindful of the call. While they gazed in shop windows, licked dripping ice cream cones, talked to each other or messaged on their phones, the appeal continued: I am the promise never broken
And my arms are ever open In this harbor calm and still I will wait until Until you come to me Here I am . . . Here I am . . . "I'm not a particularly religious person," Harris wrote about her song. "But I thought, 'What must God be feeling when people just completely ignore Him?'" She says that her musician friend, Julie Miller, inspired her to write the song. Miller is a committed Christian and former Austinite. Of course, mall music isn't meant to arrest shoppers' attention. I normally don't catch the music played in the background at a shopping center, either. But that day at the mall, as I looked around at people oblivious to this love song that had captured my attention -- God's love song to his children -- well, the whole experience took on a powerful symbolism. Each believer has a story of how they heard that divine call above the noise and distractions of their lives. We heard God say "Return to me!" and we gratefully responded. Let me know the story of your return, or let me know how I can help you make that trip! And listen to the Emmylou Harris song, "Here I Am," at this week's "Song of the Week" at my weblog. --Tom Weblog: In addition to the "Song of the Week" posted every Sunday, every Tuesday I post some entertaining and informative "Links to Your World." This week, I've got reflections on The Dark Knight, Bobby Jindal, and Barack Obama, among other items. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this |
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