Years ago, when I was really into collecting Christian Music CD’s, there was a lady named Pam Thum whom I absolutely adored. Not only did she have incredible voice and wonderful lyrics, but she was quite attractive and I was a single college/seminary student. Now of course, I’m married to most wonderful and beautiful lady around.

One song that really captured my heart was called Life is Hard, But God is Good. The lyrics are:

You turn the key
Then close the door behind you
Drop your bags on the floor
You reach for the light
But there’s darkness deep inside
And you can’t take it anymore

‘Cause sometimes living takes the life out of you
And sometimes living is all you can do

Life is hard, the world is cold
We’re barely young and then we’re old
But every falling tear is always understood
Yes, life is hard, but God is good

You start to cry
‘Cause you’ve been strong for so long
And that’s not how you feel
You try to pray
But there’s nothing left to say
So you just quietly kneel

In the silence of all that you face
God will give you His mercy and grace

Jesus never said
It was an easy road to travel
He only said that you would never be alone
So when your last thread of hope
Begins to come unraveled
Don’t give up, He walks beside you
On this journey home and He knows

Life is hard, the world is cold
We’re barely young and then we’re old
But every falling tear is always understood
Yes, life is hard, but God is good

This song is available on iTunes, I would really encourage you to get it for a whole $0.99. It’s an absolute beautiful ballad.

It came to my mind this morning as I was thinking about this post. The last year has been tough. I’m tired and I’m dry, and feel like this part of the verse:

Cause sometimes living takes the life out of you
And sometimes living is all you can do

And this verse…

You try to pray
But there’s nothing left to say
So you just quietly kneel

I’ve told several pastors in the past year that they need to get away for a sabbatical every quarter. I’ve not taken my own advice, for many different reasons. But next week, I’m taking off for a week.

Sunday morning, my wife and I board the big silver bird from Philadelphia to Seattle through Chicago O’Hare. We will then drive north and take the ferry to Orcas Island. We will be spending a week with some of the most incredible people I have ever met. I have spent the last two years with about 20 men and women in a cohort class (LECMOD5) being led by Len Sweet. It’s the last of our three times we meet together for a week of classes, fun, discussion, and investment. I will miss them greatly after June, when we all start writing our dissertation. They have challenged me in ways I would have never thought. I thank them for opening my eyes to writers and ideas I would have never considered.

It’s also the last time I will be spend a couple of days with Len Sweet in this cohort. I hope to be able to get to some of his other advances. I don’t always agree with everything he says, but he challenges me to think and dream, and consider things in new and different ways. He inspires me. The influence of him in my life cannot be understated.

Len told us when we started that it would be the begining of the next phase of our ministry. I can attest to that. I see and think differently. My research has helped me uncover so much about myself.

So while life is hard, I am excited about what God is doing. Life is hard, but God is good. I hope to have pictures and thoughts from next week.

Have a great weekend!