Blown Away or Walls that Speak
OK, so I saw the elimination deal on “American Idol” the other night. You know, the one with Carrie Underwood singing the new song with the crazy-weird wind tunnel effects. Not impressed — but I admit, I don’t watch “Idol” very carefully, usually doing something else and listening on a lousy sound system.
BUT, then I heard the song and listened to the words more carefully on headphones. Wow! Deeply moving, and it reminds me of the line in “Forest Gump” when Jenny has thrown rocks at the old house where she had been abused as she grew up and Forest said, “Sometimes, I guess, there just aren’t enough rocks.”
Eventually, Forest bulldozes down the house so all those memories can be bulldozed away.
“Blown Away” is a song that’s really a prayer by a daughter who has been abused by her drunken “father” — her mother is “an angel in the ground.” She’s praying that a tornado that’s coming on the storm will blow away the old sin-filled full-of-bad-whiskeyed-memories in that house, along with her dad asleep in a drunken stupor on the couch. The haunting lines that stick with me are these:
There’s not enough rain in Oklahoma to wash the sins out of that house.
There’s not enough wind in Oklahoma to lift the nails out of the past.
I contrast this to an old Amy Grant song, “If These Walls Could Speak.”
Such a difference, and all built on how we’ve experienced family and home so often tied to a place — a house, an apartment, a neighborhood, or a city.
So what are we doing to redeem this mess of a broken world? What am I doing to ensure that hurts of those bad houses are blown away and the blessings the latter help the walls of grace to speak of God’s love?
How is church, how are we personally and collectively, going to be more than buildings and programs and performances, and more a place for healing, redemption, and restored family?
You and me, well let’s be honest, we can’t change a lot, but we can redeem something … someone … kids and families, close and faraway. And isn’t that what’s all about? And if we join together, can’t the Holy Spirit do a whole lot to change a whole lot more than we can ask or imagine?
So here, God, take the rest of what my life has to offer and please use it to make a difference … to my own precious kids … to my foster grandchildren … to precious “daughters” in Asia … to Peruvian orphans … to Compassion kids … and more. Please make your House, your Family, your People, and me, places and people of blessing, healing, comfort, and hope so hurts can be blown away and grace can speak more clearly into the hearts of the broken, alone, and lost. I ask this humbly in the healing name of Jesus. Amen.
We have a situation in our family regarding abuse; sometimes I feel like throwing rocks, but then I would alianite a part of the family. It is so hard being in the middle with so little that I can do. I pray that things will chnage, that hearts will change, and that I will live to see it chanage. Pray for our family to be healed. Martha
Martha Renfro
6 May 12 at 11:31 am
Martha, I know this hurts and we share this hurt with you because we love those precious ones before they came into our family. We can pray and love and bring grace and hope consistently and trust that in the long run, we help them know they are precious.
Phil
phil
7 May 12 at 10:30 pm
I am trying to get out of a stormy mental abusive marriage. I know God doesnt like divorce, and I know he wants me to be happy. Any advice? We have done counseling, but nothing will change. This has been going on for 15 years. I am ready for new beginnings, but Im so broken.
Kim
4 Jul 12 at 7:17 am
Wonderful read! I look @ the “Daily Quotes ” every single day as I do my daily bible lessons on my mobile …but today is the first time I’ve ever clicked on “Heartlight” at the end of the quote. Boy, am I ever so glad that I did! Great read with lots of info and lingo that’s easy to understand. Thank you for creating such an awesome godly app that’s full of info to help all of us to easily comprehend God’s word in today’s time … A++++ Love it!
Devonda
6 Jul 12 at 7:54 am
Kim,
I have been in what I would consider a mentally abusive relationship for 29 years. I don’t think it started that way. I believe like you that God hates divorce…because that is what He says in His word. I didn’t want to do anything God hated. (not intentionally anyway). Our loving Father says He always gives us a way out! Some choose to believe its divorce in these cases. These relationships can become almost worse than physical abuse because you can’t point at a bruise or broken bone. But our hearts and minds become broken and bruised. I want to first encourage you!!! God is NOT FINISHED!!!! He wants to use what He has started. Im sure you have asked Him (and everyone else around you) for encouragement, strength, hope,change… Only to be lifted for the moment, but when hit by the arrow of silence, or looks, or harsh words you lose all you’ve asked for! So I would tell you to petition for WISDOM. It is something that we don’t readily ask for. We want change. WISDOM is something that God always gives to His children when they ask. That wisdom may be to stand still and watch. I’ve felt like I’ve been watching for years!!! And waiting (not always patiently or quietly mind you)!!!!! Ask Him to open YOUR eyes to what He has for you to see. I guarantee it will be HIM! He wants a deeper relationship with you. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And things of this earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of His glory and grace.” I do encourage you to go read a book called Love That Lasts by Gary and Betsy Ricucci. It gives insight that is honest and true to the Bible about marriage. I had a hard time reading the men’s chapter because I wanted so badly for my husband to be like this writing that was in the book. I didn’t even read that whole chapter… It hurt too much!!! But I continued to read. Seek His face every day. Immerse yourself in HIS word. Do not trust counsel from anyone who does not have biblical backing. My husband and I are about 6 weeks in to what I consider a miracle. Things aren’t perfect…however we are now in a better place. There was a HUGE communication gap that Satan was using to tear out family apart. It was THAT simple. How could we have gone for so many years without being able to communicate? The enemy uses everything he can…he has no rules…except to tear down ALL he can. IDENTIFY YOUR ENEMY… It’s not your husband. It’s Satan. At one point I actually told my husband “I am not fighting YOU, I am fighting what is between us, and that is powers and adversaries in wicked places”. If I had listened to that liar I would be going through a divorce RIGHT NOW!!! He’s a liar! Stand strong. Be of good cheer. My brother wrote a song and the chorus says…”You are God, You are good. And every moment of existence happens just the way it should. Though your purposes so often lie beyond what I can see… You are God. And I believe!” Walking by faith and not by sight is to believe in the wisdom of Christ for our life! May the peace of God permeate you and He strengthen your belief in Him!!!!!! Love to you and your family
Yiayia
1 Sep 12 at 5:03 am