This is a song by Sara Groves called "Like a Lake". I feel like posting it because it makes me think of all of those enduring sadness and pain right now, who are fighting to keep their hearts open. It also makes me think of those of us who are finally opening up after years of being "tight in a bud" refusing to bloom for fear of pain. So, for all who have ever hurt (and that is all of us): may these words inspire you to stay open to God and to His mighty love for you.

Like A Lake

so much hurt and preservation

like a tendril round my soul

so much painful information

no clear way on how to hold it

when everything in me is tightening

curling in around this ache

I will lay my heart wide open

like the surface of a lake

wide open like a lake

standing at this waters edge

looking in at God's own heart

I've no idea where to begin

to swallow up the way things are

everything in me is drawing in

closing in around this pain

I will lay my heart wide open

like the surface of a lake

wide open like a lake

bring the wind and bring the thunder

bring the rain till I am tried

when it's over bring me stillness

let my face reflect the sky

and all the grace and all the wonder

of a peace that I can't fake

wide open like a lake

everything in me is tightening

curling in around this ache

I am fighting to stay open

I am fighting to stay open

open open oh wide open

open like a lake