I've heard it said that people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led to those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today because I knew you
Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
It well may be that we may never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me like a hand print on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
You know you have rewritten mine by being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird in a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
And just to clear the air, I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for
But then I guess we know there's blame to share
And none of it seems to matter anymore
Like a comet pulled from orbit...
etc.
I love this song, not only because of the ballad style and the duet aspect, but because of the truth in the lyrics. The message is something I've been learning over the past school year - slowly, painfully, and reluctantly learning, but learning nonetheless. During my senior year in high school, I struggled so hard with the idea of graduating and moving on with my life. I didn't know what I wanted to do, and I wasn't ready to leave behind my new-found relationships and experiences in Joyful Sound. And knowing that I was about to go to college and start a new chapter made me afraid of continuing my relationships at JS - after all, what would be the point of loving these people more if I would just be leaving them? They would have a piece of me and they wouldn't be in my life forever. Coming into college, I was lonely and unhappy, afraid to be alone but afraid to let myself become close to anyone. I had left my heart in Houston, and I didn't know if I could find any of it to bring with me to Trinity.
Growing up has been painful, and it's not over. But through my (few) experiences at college, I've made some fantastic friendships that can only grow and blossom. My Bible study leader Taylor and I are becoming good friends. I've started hanging out with several of my hall mates, and discovering that they (Adam, Brian, Emma, and Andrew) are actually really great people. I've gotten to spend some time with upperclassmen in InterVarsity and Trinity Choir, and I hope to continue to develop my relationships with those people - they're wonderful. During my biweekly visits to First Baptist Church of San Antonio, so many sweet adults have reached out and extended friendship to me, and I have so appreciated getting to spend time with kind adults who care about me and can give me godly counsel. Of course, my suitemate-and-future-roommate Amanda is still a central figure in my life; we do practically everything together and I am so blessed to have been provided a friend like her. And last but not least is Josh, my first, best, and longest-known friend at Trinity.
I still miss the closeness and camaraderie of being in Joyful Sound. I miss my best friend Brittney and her sister, my sweet darling friend Heidi. I miss being with my family. But those relationships aren't gone. They're not the central focus of my life, but I still have so many memories and experiences with those people that when I go back home and see everyone, it's as if I'd never left. We can pick right back up where we left off. They're "with me like a hand print on my heart," and I know that I'm the better because of them. They've changed me for good, as have the people I've met through college life. I've learned so much from my life in Houston, and each person I know there has brought something into my life from which I've learned. Each of my friends and family members has brought color into my life - color, laughter, and memories. I've learned so much from individual relationships - things about myself, things about other people, things about life. And I'm learning more now, from the people and experiences here in San Antonio.
It's a crazy thing, life. It breaks you down but then builds you up again to be stronger. It takes away so many beautiful things but then gives you new and wonderful gifts. It wrenches you out of your familiar comfort zone but fills your new comfort zone with great things. It changes you, and it changes you for good.
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