If You Want Me To

I like this song because it talks about the path of brokeness and suffering that we face in this life.

If You Want Me To by Ginny Owens

The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley if You want me to

'Cause I'm not who I was when I first took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise that You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
Then I will walk through the fire if You want me to

It may not have been the way I have chosen
When You lead me through a world that is not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone

So when the whole world turns against me and I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the darkness if You want me to

When I cross over Jordan, I'm gonna sing, gonna shout
I'm gonna look into Your eyes and see, You never let me down
So take me on the pathway that will lead me home to You
And I will walk through the valley if You want me to
Yes, I will walk through the valley if You want me to

Hope after Destruction.

Today I went to Deukmeijian Wilderness Park's grand re-opening. This is the park that is across the street from me. I grew up hiking these mountains which were ravaged by the fire last September. They were charred and black this past winter.

But today, I saw the hope of spring and summer as I the different types of plants growing back over the charred areas. Some plants actually only can grow because of the fire and the new constitution of the soil. It's comforting to see new life spring out of a place of deep devastation and destruction. I see hope and I am thankful that God gives me these tangible illustrations of hope. He is truly an amazing Creator and I am thankful that He is with me.

There is a really cool art exhibition from June 19 to July 24 in Glendale called ART from the ashes where many local artists collaborated to make art from salvaged materials from the fire site to provide a cathartic avenue for victims of the fire through art. All proceeds go to the restoration of Deukmeijian Wilderness Park. Check it out.