Boundaries Part 2.5: Letting Go ...

I think I should start collecting an advertising fee from Michael McLean, since I keep sharing his lyrics on my blog. His songs speak so directly to what I have been reading and writing about recently. In high school, after buying the books of his sheet music, I would gather with friends or family around a piano and sing them over and over. I miss that.


"Let It Go"
Words and music by John Batdorf and Michael McLean

(to purchase this song, click here)

I can still recall the hour
my father told me it was time
to let it go.
Though it's mended wing had made it sing
He said the bird I cared for was not really mine,
Let it go.

"Letting go," he said, "seems to break your heart.
Though it will heal it feels slow to start."
Though the pain burned within me so,
He held me tight so I could let it go.

Years have passed since then,
And so has he, but I still hear his words,
"Let it go."
There's so much of life that can't be lived
When you're still holding on to hate and anger deep inside.
Let it go.

Letting go opens up the heart.
There is a new day hungry to start.
You can't change what has hurt you so,
But you will heal if you can let it go.

All that's wrong in your life
Let it go.
All that is worth saving is love.
Love will hold you tight,
Love lifts the burden,
And love shines the light.
Only love nourishes us so;
If it's not love, simply let it go.

Boundaries Part 1.5: Which Part Is Mine?

Another song has been haunting me as I read and study the concept of boundaries. It speaks so much to how I feel and the struggles I have faced. I thought I would share: sharing is caring.  

"Which Part Is Mine?"
words and music by Michael McLean

from Tender Mercies
(to purchase or listen to a sample of this song, click here)

She was only a dairy man's daughter,
she was only a child of thirteen;
but the stars on the radio brightened her nights with a dream.
So she called up her best girlfriend Jenny
'cause she thought they would make quite a pair,
She said, "Let's you and me, try to sing harmony
at the amateur night at the fair."

But she only had the range of an alto,
so the part she knew best went to her friend.
And when Jenny's soprano drowned out the piano
they'd have to start over again.
And the dairyman's daughter would then say,

"Which part is mine?
and Jen, which part is yours?
Could you tell me one more time;
I'm never quite sure.

And I won't cross the line
like I have before.
So please help me learn which part is mine,
and which part is yours."

She grew up and got married to Bobby
kept him working on his MBA
they had two little redheaded children,
and one on the way.

Everybody said she could work wonders,
and she wondered what everyone meant.
She played so many roles, it was taking its toll
and she feared that her time was misspent.

So she opened her heart to her husband.
They discussed everything on her list.
from the kids, to the job,
to her feelings for her Bob.
But what it really boiled down to was this: She said:

"Which part is mine?
and Bob, which part is yours?
Let's review it one more time;
I guess I'm not sure.

And I won't cross the line
like I have before
if we just define which part is mine,
and which part is yours."

Every sleepless night knows many mothers
who are wond'ring if they have done alright.
And the dairyman's daughter knew
more than a few of those nights.

Had she given her son too much freedom?
Had she smothered her two teenage girls?
Did she spoil them too much or not trust them enough
to prepare them for life in this world?

So she opened her heart to the heavens
and she spoke of her children by name.
And the prayer that she prayed
that her kids would be saved had a very familiar refrain.

Which part is mine?
And God, which part is yours?
Could you tell me one more time,
I'm never quite sure.

And I won't cross the line
like I have before.
But it gets so confusing some times.
Should I do more, or trust the divine?
Please, just help me define which part's mine,
and which part is yours.

Did you hear me?
I can feel you near me.
It is the answer
that I've been longing for;

just to know you hear me,
and to feel you near me.
It's all the answer
that I've been longing for.

Did you hear me?
I can feel you near me.
It is the answer
that I've been longing for;

just to know you hear me,
       after I've done my best,
and to feel you near me.
       I know you'll do the rest.
It is the answer that I've been longing for!

* * * * * * * * * *

Truly, that is what I have been longing for also: to know He hears my pleadings, to feel His comforting spirit and love, to know that after I've done all I can and should do He will take care of the deficit. I'm getting there ... "baby steps."

I Can't Do Everything

As I wrote my last blog post, the following song kept echoing in my mind. I hadn't heard it or sung it in years, so I couldn't really remember the lyrics; just first few lines of each stanza. I don't know about you, but when I get a song stuck in my mind, it haunts me until I play it, sing it, or at least read the words. I hope you don't mind me sharing it here. Maybe it will speak to you, also. Maybe I'm not the only one who needed to listen to this song today.

“I Can’t Do Everything” – Michael McLean from Celebrating the Light
(Click here to purchase or listen to a sample of the song)

I can’t do everything. I know because I tried.
I told myself I could, and then I found out I lied.
I believed with all my heart that I could do it all,
But I can’t do everything, and when I try I fall.

I can’t please everyone. I know because I tried.
I needed their love so much, sometimes I compromised.
But the more I live and learn, the more I clearly see
That I can’t please anyone, until I’m pleased with me.

So, here I am asking with all my heart
For the feelings I have been dreaming of.
Just fill the empty spaces that keep us apart,
And help me find myself in your love.

'Cause I can't do anything
without some help from above.
And I can’t please anyone until I know I’m loved.
And I believe I’m loved.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

I'm working on the believing I'm loved part ... it's coming, one step on this journey at a time.