I had written the following many years ago during a transitional time. I was worried about the next phase of life, not only for me but for my kids as well when I stumbled upon an old song. It encouraged me and I hope it encourages you when you face your unknowns.
Step by step
Yesterday while surfing YouTube I came across an artist I haven’t heard in years and a song I’d totally forgotten about. I’m not sure how many will remember the contemporary Christian singer, Rich Mullins, or the song “Sometimes by Step“.
But as soon as I heard it, I was transported back in time to a beautiful summer night. I was a teenager then. My bedroom window was open and a warm summer breeze caressed my face as I gazed outside. The pond in front of my house glistened and sparkled like someone hid a thousand white Christmas lights underneath its surface. I was young and the future stretched ahead of me, unknown and scary. Yet exciting and adventurous at the same time.
In the background, I had music on and this song was playing. The first stanza of the song talks about how beautiful the night can be and how sometimes the sky seemed so close you could touch it. The words captured the mood of the moment so accurately. It was a beautiful tranquil night. So calm and serene I felt I could’ve reached out and touched the sky. I closed my eyes to savor the moment, overcome by all of God’s goodness in my life.
Fast forward, now I’m a married woman with three kids. One graduated from Elementary school yesterday and the other from Middle School today. I’m at a crossroads in life. Their future stretches out in front of me. I can feel their excitement yet I worry about the challenges ahead.
Now, however, the tranquil summer night of my youth was gone. Instead, it was a rainy spring day. I’m scared for my children. Scared for myself. Will I know how to parent them through the next phases of their life? How will I handle the stresses that come their way? What will our relationship be like? Will they come to me for help or will they shut me out?
All these feelings pour down on me like the rain pelting my house. Then I hear the line “And step by step you’ll lead me…” It calms my soul and fills me with hope knowing no matter what comes my way God will always lead me.
He will lead me whether the nights are beautiful or if they’re stormy. He’ll be there when I make the right decisions or He’ll catch me when I stumble. The one assurance I always have is I’m never beyond His reach and that’s comforting!
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.