Song of Life

by Kathryn Taylor

A caged bird can never sing,

And anyone who knows anything

Would realize I long to fly

And sing my song before I die-

No longer caged, door open wide,

The tune eludes, trapped deep inside-

I strain to hear a note or two-

I know it's there to be sung for you-

Placed by God, a precious treasure,

I wish to find and voice it's measures-

Be still O mind! Silence, you fears!

Listen a moment! What do you hear?

The beating rhythm of an aching heart,

Melody lonely, to tear apart-

Sharps and flats of life endured-

Chords of pleasure to think I'm cured-

Just when I thought there's no more pain,

The song repeats in sad refrain-

I scream aloud, "Oh, Great Composer,

Draw me near- Pull me closer-

Show me how to sing my song-

To help fit in -to feel belonged-

Help me sing so loud and clear

To carry far and bend an ear-

If my voice should go off key,

I pray you'll come encourage me-

Remind me how I'm free at last,

No longer caged for time has passed-

Appease me with a tune to hum,

Until I hear the beat of my drum."

Amen

Significance, something we are all searching for. We need to know that we have a purpose. We need to know we are wanted. We need to make a difference. Some of us know what our purpose is. Some of us thought we knew. Some have no idea at all. And, still others thought things were fine until their lives were turned upside down by life.

Reactive Attachment Disorder diagnosed in two of our children turned our world upside down. One aspect of this disorder is the severe rejection a child has for his/her parents. They have an incredible fear of loving and being loved and they go to great lengths to avoid it. This scenario brings utter chaos into unsuspecting families who find themselves parenting emotionally disturbed children.

I wanted to be a wife. I wanted to be a mother. I wanted peace in my home. I wanted to teach my family to be good people and love the Lord. I thought if my goals were good, God would bless my efforts. As many of you have found, life doesn't work that way. Because each of us has free will, we cannot control the behaviors of others. We cannot force people to heal, give up bad habits, or accept our love and efforts to help. Because of this, we must find our significance within ourselves through Christ. To try and find it through our relationships, we set ourselves up for depression, confusion, and hurt feelings.

Jesus is the best example I can find who exemplifies proper relating. He involved himself with others, endured rejection,

overcame temptation, helped others, and lived the life He had been dealt humbly. Jesus did not find his worth in what others thought of Him. He found His worth in His relationship with God. So often, I feel hurt because my kids don't like me, or friends and neighbors think badly of me. Jesus did not fall into that trap. He knew that what others thought about him was their problem. It had nothing to do with Him. Therefore, He maintained His identity and could forgive and continue to relate to those in His life. Jesus was focused on His Father's will. It was that focus which gave Him the strength to endure the hard times.

It was God's will for Noah to build an ark and save the human race. He faced years of rejection and ridicule building the ark. It was God's will for Joseph to save His people through a drought. He was rejected by his family, enslaved for years, and imprisoned falsely. It was God's will for Moses to lead God's people out of bondage. He was raised in a pagan culture, not his own. He ran for his life. He returned to rescue a people who grumbled against him and then spent 40 years in the desert with them waiting for them to get it right. It was God's will for David to become king. He spent around ten years running for his life from crazy King Saul hiding in caves.

I think it is obvious to see that what others think of us is not an accurate depiction of our value to God. If we can realize that the closer we stay to God, seeking His will, the easier it will be to keep a proper perspective on life. We will not be so quickly

overcome by the daily disappointments and hardships which come our way. We will not view them as God's disliking or not caring about us. For so many years, we, as christians, have been taught that if we love God and seek Him, He will bless and prosper us. That is just not the case. Jesus, the patriarchs, the prophets, the disciples all suffered hardship and unfairness. It wasn't their glamorous life that made them great, but their strong faith and fortitude in the face of adversity.

Many of us, including myself, are under severe trials with some of our children. We face daily battles of rebellion, we face physical attacks, false allegations, unjust ridicule from peers and professionals, financial hardship due to caring for those we love. There seems to be no relief in the near future. It seems like there is no one who completely understands what sacrifices we make. We feel isolated and afraid. All of this however, is only circumstantial evidence. It does not make us guilty before the eyes of God. It does not mean that God doesn't care. It does not mean that He doesn't love us as much as someone else, whose life appears easier. And, it does not mean that our lives will be like this forever. It is but for a season. May we endure it, as those before us.

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