Slow Fade

When DS 1 and DS 2 were little, we did a lot of singing in the car. One of the little songs we often sang was: "Oh be careful little eyes what you see. Oh be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father up above is looking down in love. So be careful little eyes what you see." And we would repeat with "ears" and "hearing" and "lips" and "saying." It's quite a simple song. Yet it's message is quite clear: "Watch our actions, God is watching."

I am only really starting to realize just how different that picture is for each human being. For some of us, it feels like "God is watching with his big stick ready to strike at the first sign of sin." For others, it's "God's watching, so you better be on your best behavior." And others it's binding, "God loves us now, but watch it, cause he might not if we do a wrong thing."

One of the smaller words in the song is actually one of the most important: Love. God watches us with so much love and adoration. And, just like any good parent, he never wants to see us self-destruct because of our attitude or actions. I really think THAT'S the message of this song.

Recently, the radio has been playing Casting Crowns' song "Slow Fade" more often. It is on their album titled "The Altar and the Door". And within these grown-up lyrics is woven the little song that my boys and I used to sing together. This song takes the child's song to a whole new level. It cautions all of us that we must be careful with our attitudes and actions cause it's a "Slow Fade when you give yourself away. People never crumble in a day."

And I love this picture because it is so true. For most of us, we fall a little bit...maybe even stumble...then we say "Oh that one time was OK..." and soon it mushrooms out of control (a la Oprah's recent weight gain admission). It doesn't happen all at once. But all at once we can find ourselves in the midst of fear, doubt, frustration, loneliness, emptiness, anger, etc. And we must realize that it is a "Slow Fade" that usually brings us to those places.

I love the piece of the picture that is so clear to me now..."there's a Father up above looking down in love." He's calling. Beckoning. And no matter WHERE we are or WHO we are or WHAT we've done, he's there. Waiting. And like the parent says to the wounded child, he says: "I told you to be careful. Now come on home and let me help get you cleaned up. I love you!"

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the
strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

(chorus)

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see