My Wayward Son
Our theme today comes from an unlikely song; Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas. Do you know it? Look up the word 'wayward' in the dictionary and synonyms like stubborn, headstrong, disobedient, impossible, willful and wild make the list. Any wayward sons or daughters reading this today? Well, a wayward son is writing it. I tell you, few lyrics of any song paint as good a picture of grace as this one.
Anyway, I went to the water this weekend. Spent time near the shore, letting the waves bring me thoughts and take some away. I was there for the 5th annual Beach Day for the special needs department at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, Ca. Of course, I had my usual spot. Each year, I’m the guy that stands way down at the end of the beach to make sure that nobody wanders off too far; leave it to the least qualified.
But it is something to behold. With rhythmic regularity, the waves swell, lift, crash and reach my feet as I watch the kids in water-resilient wheelchairs dare the surf; children with both visible and invisible disabilities experiencing what is likely a rarity while their parents soak up the sun, catch a nap, read a book. It’s quiet most of the time in my corner, but that’s often where wayward sons do their best work.
Maybe you can relate. Perhaps notes of a personal failure, a failed health, or heartbreak, bad breaks and mistakes make for the lyrics of your most current verse. Well, over the next few days I'm going to try to navigate us through the words of this classic rock song. And hopefully, as I sing to myself - with the water and sand running between my toes - something you read this week will help your sweet spirit and strong soul carry on.
"Carry on my wayward son...
There'll be peace when you are done...
Lay your weary head to rest...
Don't you cry no more."
- Jimmy Peña
Prayer Requests:
As we begin a new week, does anyone have any prayer requests they’d like to share with me? If you’d rather keep it private, simply say, “Unspoken,” and I promise to lift you up today as you lay your weary head to rest. And if you don’t mind, I think I’ll do the same.
