Quality Writing

I've never been one to choose my words skillfully. I grew up in a family that didn't have a high regard for diction or articulation (that sounds mean.....it's not meant to be). Often, I found myself making words up on the fly (I still do that). I realize the more I read, the more I'm appreciative of gifted writers. I have a couple of friends who rank amongst those gifted scribes, but think their talent is subpar. I have a few old dead guys whom I enjoy as well. I also love an artist/musician who can phrase words (albeit simple words) and resonate with so many different people.

I remember being in the car about 9 years ago or so, and Jessica (my wife) and I were listening to some music and she pulled out my cds (yes, the ones that were stolen :/). She pulled out the sleeve for an album called "Learning to Breath" by Switchfoot. Both of us were very familiar with Switchfoot's songs, but never spent the time reading their lyrics. I think we spent that whole trip reading the lyrics on the rest of that album and the "New Way to Be Human" album as well. We had a new appreciation for Jon Foreman and purposeful writing..........quality writing.

I wanted to post these lyrics because it brings me back to a time when I finally understood the meaning of that particular song. If you ever wanted a second chance, if you ever needed a second chance, you get the opportunity start over and learn to breathe. From a guy who has messed up in his life many times, being able to say that I have a new life with God, that I have another chance to live the way I was meant to live, it's no wonder the lyrics say, "I'm living again, awake and alive, I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies." Brokenness is often the state in which we listen most. It's often the place in which we realize our true blessings. We may not know what to say, or how to say much of anything. I know growing up I didn't. Even now I have difficulty. But as the lyrics read, "This is the way that I say I need you, this is the way that I say love you, this is the way that I say I'm yours." Whatever way you say it, it's your way..............and I think it's the quality that counts.

Learning to Breathe by Switchfoot
Hello, good morning, how you do?
What makes your rising sun so new?
I could use a fresh beginning too
All of my regrets are nothing new
So this is the way that I say I need You
This is the way that I'm

Learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that You and You alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies

Hello, good morning, how you been?
Yesterday left my head kicked in
I never, never thought that
I would fall like that
Never knew that I could hurt this bad

So this is the way I say I need You
This is the way that I say I love You
This is the way that I say I'm Yours
This is the way, this is the way