Pour Yourself into Someone Else

I had a birthday recently. Funny to think about it this way, but they are important. With each anniversary of your birth you get another chance to make a difference on “the third rock from the sun” in somebodies life. Hope you learned something in the last year, rather it was good or bad. I learned so much in the last twelve months that I cannot get my minds cupboards closed. Rather than let the lessons I learned lie dormant until forgotten, I need to pass them on. I need to “pour” those lessoned learned into someone. My desire as I experience birth anniversary’s is to be able to relate my joy and pain to another brother or sister that cannot “fathom” their success but will willing embrace their failures as their normal. “It don’t have to be so.”

A couple of weeks ago Janet and Lauren trusted me to watch Lyric, my 2 month old granddaughter for a couple of hours (thank God it was not more) as they shopped. As she rocked in the swing (greatest invention in the world), I could not take my eyes off of her. Her little eyes pierced my heart and captured my soul. In an instant I knew what was required of me. Outside of spoiling her, I need to let her know of all that have come before her and what they had planned for her without ever even knowing her name. The struggles and triumphs they endured were not just for a moment but for generations to follow. If you still having birth anniversaries (the assumption is that you are) you should pure some of the experiences that helped you make it from one year to another into someone else. I have been a few places and seen a few things. I have cringed from the pain of a few cuts and bruises that life can bring. I have also smiled and laughed from the joy that only grace can bring. I know this describes you as well. There is a Lyric in your life that needs to know how and why. My pastor instructed us to look for the teachable moment in every day. Pour yourself into someone else.

On a recent date night, Janet and I as usual talked about everything we missed during the week and then some. Afterwards on the way home there was a quiet moment in the car. Because she knows my heart and mind and the “lyrics” in this song, she turned the volume up when this song came on the radio….

If I could
I'd protect you from the sadness in your eyes
Give you courage in a world of compromise
Yes, I would

If I could
I would teach you all the things I've never learned
And I'd help you cross the bridges that I've burned
Yes, I would

If I could
I would try to shield your innocence from time
But the part of life I gave you isn't mine
I'll watch you grow, so I can let you go

If I could
I would help you make it through the hungry years
But I know that I can never cry your tears, babe
But I would if I could

If I could
In a time and place where you don't wanna be
You don't have to walk along this road with me
My yesterday won't have to be your way

If I knew
I'd try to change the world I brought you to
Now there isn't much more that I can do
But I would if I could

If I could
I would try to shield your innocence from time
But the part of life I gave you isn't mine
I'll watch you grow, so I can let you go

If I could
I'd help you make it through the hungry years
But I know that I can never cry your tears
But I would if I could

What would you do for your “Lyric”?

If you could…..