Inspired by lyrics to “What I Hold Onto” – by Sue Riley and Melinda Wood Allen:With the hard-earned wisdom I have now,
I wouldn’t do again what my old self would allow.
What I hold onto … wouldn’t let me be free ….
Now I see, I’m getting closer to a new, more peaceful me.
I’m holding onto what I want to keep. I feel lighter, I sleep better; it’s love that’s holding me…. My new religion is live and let be.
What I hold onto holds onto me. Now I can stand back and see – the past is the past, but the future’s up to me.
What I hold onto holds on to me….”
Responsive Reading for October 20
“It is the Lord who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed” (Deut. 31:8).
Letting go of all the blame and heartache, now I see,
I’m getting closer to a new, more peaceful me.
I’m holding on to what I want to keep.
I feel lighter, I sleep better; it’s love that’s holding me.
“As I was with Moses, I will be with you: I will not leave you nor forsake you …. Only be strong and steadfast …. Then you will attain your goal; then you will succeed. I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:5-8).
What I hold onto holds on to me….
What I held onto wouldn’t let me be free.
My new religion is live and let be.
What I hold on to holds on to me.
“I will fulfill for you my promise to bring you back to this place. For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope” (Jer. 29:10-11).
Now I can stand back and see – the past is the past, but the future’s up to me.
“You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shade of the Almighty, Say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.’ … He will rescue you … He will shelter you … Because you have the Lord for your refuge and have made the Most High your stronghold …’” (Ps.129).
I’m getting closer to a new, more peaceful me.
I’m holding on to what I want to keep…. It’s love that’s holding me.