It’s been a long week, but thanks to our family and friends it’s been a good one. While I was in Nashville recording, Emmy and Claire came down with the flu, leaving Sarah with three sick kids. It could’ve been a disaster, but Sarah’s mom and some of our friends came to our rescue. We are so grateful for their help.

Bowen is slowly making progress and we are settling into the routine of having him home, which is making our burden feel lighter. Here’s a picture of Bowen that Sarah sent me from her phone today. I haven’t seen him in a week, but I think he looks even better than when I left!

Digging Deeper

I was looking through the window of our tour bus this morning, in awe of the story of redemption that’s painted with every sunrise. It’s such a mind-bending, creative expression of love by our Creator. It’s an awesome thing that a globe of fire rises day after day, signaling the dawn of new beginnings.

In the midst of Bowen’s struggle I’ve “seen” the break of dawn for quite some time, but today there was something special about looking at the sun in the morning sky. It felt symbolic of the weight of circumstantial darkness beginning to lift from our family. Our hope doesn’t rely on good feelings, but to have them is a gift from God. We’re not only beginning to feel, but to really see more of the good that is coming from what we’ve been through as family. I’ve finished recording the album of songs inspired by Bowen’s struggle this week, Lord willing our foundation will be operational by spring of next year, and we continue to receive stories from people who’ve been inspired and impacted by Bowen’s story around the world. God has given us such a sense of grace and purpose through all of this, and we are filled with joy.

Earlier this week my friend Jason and I finished writing a song that I had started a couple of months ago with Leeland Mooring. We not only finished it, but recorded it for my project this week. The song is called This is Grace, and it celebrates the intended role of suffering in the life of Christians. These are the words.

The reason for our suffering
Is to help us realize
That in sickness and in death
We are helpless without Christ
And the reason for our blindness
Is for Jesus to open our eyes
Bless the Lord

This is grace, this is grace
When we walk through the dark night
This is grace, this is grace
So we wait for the sunrise
How I long for the sunrise

Your light has always been shining
Since the beginning of time
But in the face of darkness
How radiant your light
Bless the Lord

This is grace, this is grace
When we walk through the dark night
This is grace, this is grace
So we wait for the sunrise
And I have faith the sun will rise

The one’s who are marked by suffering
Are the one’s who have found their joy
As conquerors in all these things
Struck down, but not destroyed

Bless the Lord
This is grace

Here’s the the video that inspired the chorus of this song.