in-feast-or-fallow
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Can’t Help Myself
When I was a little girl, my Mom would pray with me before I went to school every day. I remember she would often pray that God would put “angels around me like a hedge of thorns” to protect me on my way.
I wrote this song in a flurry of inspiration after several long conversations about watching someone not just fall, but jump from grace. In response, Psalm 121 has given me great comfort. I am sobered by the connection between my theology and the emotional fallout of seeing that happen. In particular, it made me reflect on my family, my two small children, and what it means that salvation in Jesus is an irresistible gift from God. The song is an earnest prayer for protection, much like the one my Mother prayed for me, and an affirmation of God’s faithfulness to his children.
Lyrics
I confess the things, I am afraid of
Thorns and danger just around the bend
I pray for tongues of fire and bands of angels
To come and circle ‘round me like a fence
Chorus: I lift my eyes to the hills,
where comes my help?
I lift my hands, empty hands
I can’t help myself, can’t help myself
No, I can’t help myself
My enemies surround me like an army
Within without the battles raging on
I pray the spirit would be strong and mighty
For courage through the night until the dawn
Chorus
Oh trust the lord, my soul and all that is in me
Oh trust the light to show my darkest parts
With wounds of truth and love, a friend who has known me
A fool would keep his secrets in his heart
Chorus
words and music by SANDRA MCCRACKEN © 2010 DRINK YOUR TEA MUSIC (ASCAP), admin. by SIMPLEVILLE MUSIC, inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
