Be More Heart, and Less Attack

As a follow up to my post last night I wanted to share some new thoughts.

I took the chance to listen to the album Rivers in the Wasteland again today. Start to finish. After hearing Bear talk about the struggles they've been through over the past year, it was obvious to me that every song was raw with emotion. Every song and every lyric held meaning and healing and lessons learned.

I didn't think it was possible to be this much in love with some songs or some band. I can feel their pain and their struggles. I have a newfound respect for these guys. I have loved them since I saw them for the first time at People's Court in 2009, but now after seeing them last night and watching their documentary about their rough times, something is different. The air between them was tangibly different on stage last night. They had a chemistry that I hadn't seen for a long time.

The song Brother holds a new meaning. Before they played it last night Bear said that it was a love song that Bo had written for him. Listening to the lyrics bring me to tears.

“Brother, let me be your shelter. I’ll never leave you all alone. I can be the one you call when you’re low.
Brother let me be your fortress when the night winds are driving home. Be the one to light the way, bring you home.”

Wasteland. Difference Maker. Rise Again. The Heart. More Heart, Less Attack.
All of these songs are so full of meaning and restoration.
I am encouraged. I am joyful.
When I said last night that it felt like some knew what I had been going through, I believe even more now that that is true. Sure, Bear doesn’t know who I am. He doesn’t know what I’ve been through. I get that. But I saw in his eyes what mine must have looked like for so long. I saw longing and pain, but I saw freedom and joy too.

"Slow to anger, quick to laugh. Be more heart, and less attack."

These guys and their music have saved me more than once and this time I think God is working through them to work on my heart. I almost didn't go to the concert last night but I did. And I'm so glad. And I know I was supposed to be there. My heart is full and I feel content.