Ministry was not always easy. The “you” who kept me from “going down” during especially stressful times is not identified. God? Marja? A right person at the right time? Community? Family? All of the above? Written the year before I retired, this song expresses my gratitude for encouragement and support from various sources during difficult days.
Howling winds and bitter cold
Sucked the warmth right out of my soul
Left me numb, unable to move
A lively song that’s lost its’ groove
Came so close to going down
Indecision, doubting myself
Wishing I was anywhere else
Losing sight of visions and dreams
Words emerging in ways I didn’t mean
Came so close to going down
At the end of every day
Your voice encouraged me to say
The things I would have locked inside if
You had not been there to guide me back
There’s no lifetime guarantee
When you stand up to the enemy
In the movies heroes have control
Sign me up, I’d like a starring role
Came so close to going down
Who kept me from going down?
At the end of every day
Your voice encouraged me to say
The things I would have locked inside if
You had not been there to guide me back
Back, back, back to my hopeful self
Guitar solo
Warm embrace on chilly days
Calming words, kind and gentle ways
Held me steady, kept me strong
Kept me going, kept me moving on
Came so close to going down
You kept me from going down
Can’t believe I’m still around
At the end of every day
Your voice encouraged me to say
The things I would have locked inside if
You had not been there to guide me back
Back, back, back to my hopeful self
© Peter Slofstra • 2015 • Courtice, Ontario