Help Me Love Me

Sometimes we say, write, or do things that illicit responses that we aren't expecting. That happened to me more than once yesterday.

A simple quote--that I heard in the sermon at the church I was visiting--and a couple of conversations reminded me just how many people are hurting and struggling--even those people that we'd never expect--I dare say especially those people we'd never expect.

Twelve years ago, during my college days, while sitting outside at a campground in Cherokee, NC, where I was doing student summer missions, I cried out a prayer that I still pray today.

Maybe this is a prayer that you pray, too?

Me
7/30/98

I open your word and I read about you

And how you love us, Lord

But then I turn the page and I read about me

And how what I am is wrong



So sometimes I don't understand

What I'm supposed to believe

Is your grace all sufficient, Lord

Is it really okay to be me?



I go to church and praise your name

I want to see your face

But then they tell me I can't serve you, Lord

My sin is far to great



So sometimes I don't understand

What I'm supposed to believe

Is your grace all sufficient, Lord

Is it really okay to be me?



Oh I want to be me

And I want to be free

From this hammer that beats me to the ground

But I just don't know

How to let the hammer go

When I feel that nothing I do is right

When I feel that I am not alright



As I pray to you, I try to feel your arms

Wrapped around my soul

But I can't feel them, Lord

Are you really there—

Do you really care for me?



Cause sometimes I don't understand

What I'm supposed to believe

Is your grace all sufficient, Lord

Is it really okay to be me?



Do you love me?

Yes you love me.

Help me love me.



http://www.reverbnation.com/deannadeaton



(there are two roughly recorded versions on the page--one picked and one strummed)