Just over two weeks ago as I was driving home I picked up a distant radio station I don’t usually get. The song playing was an older song that brought back some memories. As I was thinking, it occurred to me that it had been 10 years since my parents separated for the last time and my mom filed for divorce. I was 28 at the time and the song was Life is Hard (God is Good) by Pam Thum. Although I was grown, it was hard watching my parents both having such a rough time. It was sad to see them give up after struggling together for so long – but also a relief.
I struggled for a while with the divorce and what that meant for them spiritually. Especially when they both remarried. Jesus does not have good things to say about divorce. But, there is also grace. I must say that both of my parents have grown in their faith over the last ten years. And we have two more wonderful people in our family that I love dearly. So, truly, I think, even when we don’t make the best choices, God can still work in our lives. All is not lost.
I can’t help but think of King David. In spite of some pretty poor choices he made, even horrendous, he was called “a man after God’s own heart.” Another example: God still kept His promise to Abraham even when, in a moment of doubt, he did the wrong thing to try to make it happen himself. God knows our fallen condition and can see into our hearts. This encourages me as I look over my own life and find myself wondering about choices I have made.
So I leave you now with the lyrics to that song. Be encouraged.
Life is Hard (God is Good) by Pam Thum
You turn the key Then close the door behind you Drop your bags on the floor You reach for the light But there’s darkness deep inside And you can’t take it anymore
‘Cause sometimes living takes the life out of you And sometimes living is all you can do
Life is hard, the world is cold We’re barely young and then we’re old But every falling tear is always understood Yes, life is hard, but God is good
You start to cry ‘Cause you’ve been strong for so long And that’s not how you feel You try to pray But there’s nothing left to say So you just quietly kneel
In the silence of all that you face God will give you His mercy and grace
Jesus never said It was an easy road to travel He only said that you would never be alone So when your last thread of hope Begins to come unraveled Don’t give up, He walks beside you On this journey home and He knows
Life is hard, the world is cold We’re barely young and then we’re old But every falling tear is always understood Yes, life is hard, but God is good
ADDED NOTE: I failed to acknowledge above that some “choices” in life are made in times of desperation when, in reality, there are few, if any, other options available. I just want to say that God’s grace and love apply regardless.
Hi Melissa,
I like the words to this song, because they’re so true. Sometimes life can be very hard, but God is always good. When we can’t see His hand, we can still trust His heart.
Oh Melissa. I am sitting here in a puddle of tears. What a beautiful song, and moving, and pertinent for me, at this exact moment. We’re finding out hopefully this week if we are going to have to leave our home church (where I’ve attended literally my entire life) so that Rob can preach at a church about 30 minutes from here.
I am encouraged. And I thank you for posting this today.
God Bless you.
Good post. That song has been with my wife and I in very difficult times. Reading the words, it sounds trite to say “life’s hard, but God is good”. But if you can listen to the music and read the words, you’ll see the truth there expressed in a short, poetic, and meaningful way.
this is a great song. I remember it too. and has helped me through some tough stuff. It’s a good one to remember today, while I sit here waiting for test results.
Oh, beth, thanks for the reminder to pray for you today. I’ll check your blog before I go to bed tonight to see if you heard anything.
[…] Melissa over at JourneyToMom wrote about Christian music that has helped her in difficult times. Music of all kinds moves me in dramatic ways. There’s something within me, maybe it’s in everyone, that really keys in to the way voices and instruments and lyrics meld together in a way that is very powerful. I could list lots of songs in all genres that have influenced me, but since she was writing about encouraging Christian songs, I thought I’d share one of my favorites. It’s a modern-day hymn packed with truth and lacking the campy, saloon sound of yesteryear’s hymns. If you’re interested in hearing a sample, fire up the iTunes Music Store and search for it (I recommend the Geoff Moore version). I’ve reprinted the lyrics below. In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This conerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled, when strivings cease My comforter, my all in all Here in the love of Christ I stand […]
I’ve been meaning to comment on debug that one of the churches we visited during our travels in July sang the song he mentions above in their worship service. Great song.
Unfortunately, debug has deleted his blog. I hope he is still writing somewhere as he is a very good writer. Hope you stop by here again, sometime.
Peace!
Melissa