Jason Gray wrote a very “Ian honoring” post on his blog this morning and I wanted to share it with you… http://jasongraymusic.wordpress.com/
This past weekend I found myself face to navel with one of my favorite musicians -Jason Gray. (Truth be told, I was an absolute klutz and literally stepped on his toes trying to hug him when he first arrived at our house.) He’s a giant of a man physically (6’6”), but also in his spirit. He’s so talented as a singer/songwriter, authentic & transparent, gentle, kind and wonderfully gracious. The Lord Jesus has taken up residence in his heart and being with Jason is a little taste of what heaven is gonna be like. Jesus is obviously his refuge & fortress, so he doesn’t seem to find a need to build his own walls …he draws us in and makes us feel accepted and safe…even when we step on his toes. 
He makes me want to be a better person, shows me what is possible if I can let go of my masks & fears…he’s genuine…the world needs more genuine people like him …I pray to emulate that. We were introduced to Jason’s music last summer and God has used it to minister to our grieving, broken hearts, to speak truth in a gentle way that is bringing hope & healing.
We connected with Jason last fall to do a house concert for us. Our hope was that we could commemorate Ian’s baptism anniversary last November, but that didn’t work for Jason’s busy schedule so he asked if February would work for us…we were stunned and not sure we could emotionally handle doing a February event, but we prayed and asked if the 19th would fit with his schedule…when it did, we knew that the Lord Himself had given us a way to survive the last of our “stinkin’ firsts” in a year of grief. We were so blessed and honored to have Jason come to our home! We put the word out and were amazed that 74 responded “yes” to our invitation…the night was magical and I still haven’t absorbed it…it still feels “huge” and surreal to me in an overwhelming, beautiful way…thanks to everyone who had a hand in it and for all those friends who were servants that night! And a VERY SPECIAL THANKS to God’s vessel- Jason Gray who I’m delighted I’ll spend eternity with.
If you haven’t yet had the joy of experiencing Jason’s music, I encourage you to check out his website www.jasongraymusic.com
Here are just a few of my personal favorite lyrics from his songs…though I encourage you to buy all his music and enjoy it for yourself!
“Blessed be… the ones who know that they are weak they shall see the Kingdom come to the broken ones…blessed be. Thirsty…like you’re drinking from a salt sea but one day you’ll be satisfied. Hungry…for the taste of mercy aching just to have your fill one day you will…” – “Blessed Be” from All the Lovely Losers & Acoustic Storytime
“I was afraid to be weak, afraid to be me I was afraid because I didn’t want them to see what’s broken in me. But I guess I was wrong I should have known all along…when I’m weak You are strong in me. You make up what I lack, You shine through the cracks where I was shattered because You pour out Your grace through my broken places. So I won’t be afraid to cry, confess or question why, I won’t hide the pain I feel now I know these wounds are how You heal…” – “Weak” from All the Lovely Losers & Acoustic Storytime
“Oooh, all I see are the ruins as the smoke starts to clear…I hope You know what You’re doin’ ‘cause You brought me here…And if it’s hard to raise the white flag it’s even harder to believe that surrendering is worth the sacrifice as the very thing I always feared would be the death of me was a way to come alive. Now it hurts to be this broken but it’s bearable somehow as the chance to prove I’m worthy disappears. I’ve always heard You loved me, but I think I know it now…is that the reason why You brought me here?…”- “The reasons why You brought me here” from Acoustic Storytime
“Careful not to go too fast you may spin out of control…even when you’ve done it right there’s still no guarantee that you won’t fall…if I could, I’d break your every fall but if you never fell you’d never learn to get back up again, my child- you must learn to get back up again, and again, and again” – “Learning to ride a bike” from Hoping
“What would I give for my children’s strength on the day that they stand alone? I mean what would I give for their strength to stand firm? I’d give everything that I own. I’ve wasted my life in accomplishing things, ignoring the Giver of wings. So Lord teach them to fly to the foot of Your throne I’ll give everything that I own…” – “Everything I own” from All the Lovely Losers & Acoustic Storytime
“You don’t have to give me an answer, an answer’s the last thing I need. There’s no magical cure for this cancer I just need you to listen to me…this dark room is perfect for hiding but I don’t want to hide anymore…you can’t force the light here inside it, but you can help me open the door…you’re the one holding the key…the key to the truth of what’s really going on, your listening ear is the grace of God, love will take the shackles off…” – “Holding the Key” from Everything Sad is Coming Untrue
“When we step aside from the center of our lives and learn to love mercy more than being right. Pursuing peace and honesty starting down the road of selflessness and seeing where it leads…All I know is there’s a better way to live…it’s not the love you have but the love you have to give…” – “Better way to Live” from Everything Sad is Coming Untrue
“When you’re tired of holding on to hope, but scared to death of letting go when there’s no burden like the truth and faith hurts like an open wound…take it to the healing hands, take it to the One who builds the mountains take it to the One who stirs the ocean tides, take it to my Father’s heart that’s broken by the burden that I carry…He will take me by the hand and lead me to the other side…” - “When the stars fall from the sky” from Everything Sad is Coming Untrue “special edition”
“Another nail in another coffin, arms that held you return to dust. Yet in our grief we know that death must be a liar for no goodbye is ever good enough. How could it be that everything sad is coming untrue? The winter can make us wonder if spring was ever true, but every winter breaks upon the Easter lily’s bloom…oh I believe that everything sad is coming untrue in the hands of the One who makes all things new…” – “Everything Sad is Coming Untrue (Part 2)” from Everything Sad is Coming Untrue
