Friday, August 29, 2008

A Promise to Joseph



Here is a video of Allen and his friend John Moessner singing the song Allen wrote for Joseph. They are both wonderfully talented musicians, and I am not at all biased in saying it is the most beautiful song ever. I almost had to threaten Allen to get him to sing it at the Memorial/Funeral...so you can all thank me for persuading him (with a little help from Sarah-Jane). And thank you, John, for joining Allen in making it even more beautiful. Al wrote it several weeks ago, and the first time I heard it I knew he had to sing it at Joseph's funeral, whenever that would be. It turns out it was much sooner than I expected. Here are the words:

A Promise to Joseph

I can't stop the rain from falling
It's been raining for so long
I can't take your pain away
Or find what's right inside the wrong

But take my hand, we'll go through this together
And I can help you to stand
I don't know what tomorrow will bring us
But you'll know where I am

I can't stop the night from coming
Or turn the darkness into light
There's so much I cannot do for you
But I can give you the strength to fight

But take my hand, we'll go through this together
And I can help you to stand
I don't know what tomorrow will bring us
But you'll know where I am

There is one who can do all things
Can stop the rain and end the night
He'll bring you peace and restoration
And turn this wrong into a beautiful right

So take His hand, you'll walk with Him together
Before His throne you will stand
We'll be fine with the peace He will bring us
And I'll know where you are

45 comments:

Jennifer said...

I love this song and have not gotten it out of my head since the funeral. Thanks for posting! :)

Anita J. said...

That is beautiful. I am praying for you.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting the song and thanks, too, for persuading Allen to sing it, Gillian and Sarah Jane. I, like Jennifer, have had it in my head since Allen and John played it for me last Saturday afternoon. The words and music are beautiful. I continue to be amazed with the gifts that God has given all of my children.
I was so proud of Allen, being able to speak the words he did and then to sing the song in honor of Joseph. As much as I miss Joseph, how thankful I am that he is no longer in pain and that his body is healed and that we know where he is.
Praying constantly, Mom
"Be still and know that I am God."

Dee Dee said...

There are no words to tell you how perfect that was for that day and for all you went through. As someone who has done a little writing (just on a personal scale) through the years, I never cease to be amazed at how God uses the words we write to teach US.
At least He does with me. To make my perceptions more clear, to solidify my beliefs. He just does that because He is God.
You are very talented. I am so glad God has used that talent to strengthen you and others during these sad days. And what an incredible witness. The ways God is using your son's life continue.

Anonymous said...

Crying and smiling all over again...what an amazing song.

Allen - You are incredible dad. Rob/I were so touched and inspired by your strength and love to sing this extremely personal song during the memorial. God was truly working through you on Monday. You have such a talent and there was so much heart in the words, music and presentation.

I know Joseph watching from Heaven and this SONG is now his favorite.

LOVE YOU ALL and thinking of you constantly. Jody

Anonymous said...

Well God was with you in your singing...and a little nagging from your wife and sister in law (that never hurts either).

We women are extremely convincing....!

Love to you all. Jody

Anonymous said...

It's amazing to think that the line "we'll be fine with the peace that He'll bring us" was prevalent in this performance. It amazes me that Allen was able to sing through that song and it gives me joy to hear the words that say "He'll bring you peace and restoration, And turn this wrong into a beautiful right".

Prayers from Memphis,
Lauren

Sarah-Jane said...

thanks Gill and Allen,
I am so glad I don't have to make up the tune to it in my head anymore:)
I can tell Eli that I downloaded it from "joe tunes"

Jennifer said...

Absolutely amazing and beautiful.

You all are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

Q's NEWS said...

How beautiful! I am so glad you decided to post it because ever since I read the title in the last post I have wanted to hear it so badly. How can a 3 year old and his entire family wiggle their way into my heart so strongly when I have never even met them? It has to be a God thing! Always know you have a friend in West Virginia! I would love to do something for you, but what could I ever do?

I am meeting my daughter and her husband to pick up my grandson. We always meet at Target - I think I will have to change our meeting point for now. I love you guys and you are never far from my heart and always in my prayers!

Susan

Heidi said...

Quite simply...beautiful

Jason said...

Simply amazing.

Melissa P. said...

such courage and strength, allen. and how well you love your son. thank you for sharing this with us once again. continuing to pray!

mwosteen said...

Thanks for posting the video. My family so wanted to be there and now can get a picture of how powerful the whole service was. Praying for you all each day.

Randi said...

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and personal song. I had a lump in my throat the entire time and tried to stop the crying, but I couldn't. God has turned this into a beautiful right, as much as it breaks our hearts.
Thinking and praying for you all. This is definitely a God thing- :-)
Love,
Randi

So Blessed said...

Such precious true words...
that was beautiful.

Erica said...

such a beautiful song, thanks for posting it gil! allen is so talented, and what a beautiful and sweet tribute to your precious boy! continuing to think and pray for you guys daily! love the willis family

Allison Parker said...

I keep listening to this song over and over. Thanks for posting it. I wanted to be there so badly, and my mom went on and on about how powerful the service was. The song itself is powerful! Continuing to pray for you every day.

Craig and Gwen said...

Allen of all the song's have heard you sing over the years - this is the one that has left me the most awe struck. I love hearing you and Gill sing - because it makes me thinks of worship time at the Shavers and what a special time that was in our lives.

Praying for ya'll so much - love - Gwen

courtney said...

It was amazing... Thanks, Allen, and Gillian, for sharing it with all of us.

Brea said...

Thanks so much for sharing this, guys. I can't tell you how much you are on my heart and how often I am praying for you all.

Ali Tanner said...

I too have thought about this many times since the funeral and have hoped to see the words again. Continuing to pray for each of you and just broken still for you. I'm just sad for each of you. Thank you for updating on here. I am often looked. Much much love

Anonymous said...

I love it. So perfectly said-or sung rather. Thank you for posting it. Whenever I read the blog I always think of Holly and how meaningful it will be for her when she is grown up to read all that you have written--the journey you have been on over the last year told through you and allen's words--and all the comments that loved ones wrote. I am praying for her all the time. SJ mentioned that she is waiting for him to come back from seeing Jesus and I am sure that is another layer of pain to watch as a mother. I can see how close they were from the photos and videos-how she adores him. We continue to lift your family up in prayer and hope to see you when we are in town at Christmas.

love,

paige

Anonymous said...

So beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Catherine Morris

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing, the song is beautiful! Praying continually,

Carey Heid ( SJ friend)

Charlie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Charlie said...

Allen,
I was amazed when you spoke. Then I was completely awestruck when you and John sang. Each word carefully chosen for both moments conveyed a father's true love for his son. How well you have honored him.

Thank you for holding onto our only true hope and being honest about your struggles with this. This is the only hope that any of us really have, but I take it for granted so often. Seeing you hold onto it singularly in faith grounded me. Doing this you have honored Joseph's Savior as well.

Charlie Babcock

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing. Praying for you guys.

Lisa Allen said...

Thanks for posting the song. It was good to hear it in person. I had read the words in Joseph's funeral program, but hearing them was even more meaningful. We are praying for you guys and we won't stop praying.
Love, Bill and Lisa Allen

Anonymous said...

Allen, that was just beautiful. Thank you for sharing. We were unable to come but because of the blog got to experience some of these moments with you. I find myself checking this blog every single day, just as I always have since November. It was part of my computer routine. I can't believe I won't be checking on Joseph and your family. My kids have been praying for him every night in their prayers. They are so sad they didn't meet him before he met Jesus. They just lost their grandma two months ago to cancer and say that she must have met Joseph and will take care of him in heaven. I want to visit soon.
Love,
Cousin Laura, Mike, Cade, and Jennavieve (loving you all from Cincinnati)

Lynn T said...

Gill and Allen,
Thanks so much for posting this. It is the most beautiful song. On our way home, Will said he already misses Holly. Love you,Lynn

Buddy Buds and Friends! said...

Thank you so much for sharing...that was so beautiful and special.

Anonymous said...

Hi Gillian & Allen
Back in Holland I still feel like I'm in the wrong time zone. That's beautiful Allen lovely to be able to share it with Ben Ronan and Oisin. Thanks for posting it. Love you all. How's Holly Bear hope her ear infection isn't causing too much trouble.
love Ann Ben & the boys

Anonymous said...

So perfect. Thank you. Margaret

Anonymous said...

just can't stop thinking about you guys. know that we love you and are praying for you both and for holly often.

erin & dave

Lindsay Wagner said...

oh, i will be praying for you. i came across this blog tonight through another blog, and i am in tears thinking of your loss. I am asking aloud, "God, why do you take babies? no parent should ever lose their child!" we MUST take comfort in the fact that we serve a Holy & Perfect God, one who makes ALL THINGS GOOD!!! i am a mother, and i can't imagine the loss you are feeling. i promise that i am lifting you and your family up and going before His throne on your behalf. i am so saddened by your loss. our Lord and God does have a perfect plan, and i pray that he would reveal some part of it to you and your family during this horrific time. you are in my prayers...

Anonymous said...

Allen,

When I saw in the bulliten, your name next to this song, I thought they had just listed the writer's names next to each song.

When I saw you get up to speak, and then actually sing your song, I was stunned. I honestly don't know how you did it. It was very meaningful and a powerful tribute to your son. It was the most memorable part of the service for me.

I must say that the service and this whole experience has been life changing for Jaime and I. I know it must be little consolation, but we will be better parents because of this. We will hug our kids longer and have more patience with them. In a very small way we feel we can honor Joe this way.

We both love you very much and hold you up in our prayers.

William and Jaime

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful song. Absolutely perfect.

Betsy Huey said...

Beautiful. . .

Joseph was blessed to have such amazing parents.

Still praying,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Amazing...as is your whole family. Thanks for sharing Joseph with all of ys. We are praying for you all.

Chloƫ said...

Honestly, you should record it, it's everything that everyone says and more. Very moving, personal, uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. And great music. Hope you guys are doing ok. Thinking of you. Love Chloe. xx

Anonymous said...

That is such a beautiful song. Allen, I'm glad God gave you the courage (with a little help from Gillian and Sarah-Jane) to sing it at the memorial.

Love,
lizzi

Kelli said...

THank you for posting this. It's just what I needed to hear before surgery this morning.

Courtney said...

Beautiful, sweet, and encouraging.

-Courtney S.

Anonymous said...

Good words.