this morning, i heard a bird sing.
he was cryin’ out for his mommy
‘cause he was cold and he was hungry
and that little bird, well, he reminded me of me.

‘cept, i wasn’t cryin’ to my mother
‘cause i know that she has been there
and i wasn’t callin’ for my daddy, neither.
no, we go watch movies each Tuesday—
no, see, i was callin’ out to God, beggin’ Him to feed me
to fill me up, to hug me, and to say that i’m His son.

well, baby bird, i must admit, it’s easy to believe
when both of us have got two crystal eyes to help us see.
but, if seein’ is believin’, then what’s the use of faith,
‘cause aren’t we supposed to be certain of what we cannot see?
and if faith is more than just a lie, well,
God, i pray you show me a miracle—
‘cause, it would take a miracle to save a wretch like me!

Your Book says i’m Your treasure, but, God, i sure don’t see it,
‘cause my doubts and my betrayals amount to a lot
and the skin on my teeth is starting to get worn down
from all the caffeine on which i drown.

i’ve been standin’ in the rain for God knows how long
and though the Florida sunshine’s cutting through,
i am more concerned with the rain drops striking my face like bullets.
while the devil beats his wife,
i’m wishing i had a wife to go home to.
‘cause the night’s so cold and so lonesome, so
i hold my pillow and pretend that it’s a beautiful girl.

‘cause, i’ve seen plenty of beauty in a hurricane,
the way the wind dances with the trees,
reminds me of the way she used to dance for me,
and the way the lightning splits the sky
reminds me of the streetlights that Wednesday night
when we drove through Jacksonville, singin’ Anberlin and Paramore—
but, this metaphor for a storm does not transcend the human experience, no,
my friends, the storms of life leave me destitute and pissed off.

well, i’ve learned an awful lot from all my tears and all my pain
but, God, if You’re the Author, whydju hafta send the rain?
Painter, paint me a new picture, one in which i do not stray
preferably one in which i don’t hafta watch her walk away.

and, Lord knows, i’m frothing over with bitterness, like a—
like a pint of beer poured far too heartily,
and the word “hope” is eclipsed by her memory and
even as these words catch in my throat—
when i think about that smile, i still can’t help but grin.

i’ve learned an awful lot from all my tears and all my pain
and, maybe it’s true, that God is just chillin’ in the rain,
but, i’m still wishing i didn’t hafta feel this pain.

we stopped checking for monsters beneath our beds,
we found out they live inside of us, instead.

don’t ever let them point fingers at you, my friends,
‘cause they don’t know the hurt we hold inside.
we wear our scars like our hearts, affixed to a sleeve,
and they tremble with fear at our honesty.
and, though we try to compartmentalize our problems
and smile for the camera, we’re still never good enough for them, are we?

yeah, ‘cause we got specks in both our eyes, but they’ve got fucking logs!
and, if i was to be honest, i think i’ve got an oak tree makin’ its home in my iris, but,
i know you kids are still beautiful and sanctified,
justified and purified,
and my heart breaks ‘cause you just don’t know it—yet.

don’t you ever let someone look down on you ‘cause you’re young.
unless they approach the throne room like a child, wide-eyed and blissful,
then they’ll never understand what it means to sit on their Daddy’s knee.

don’t you ever let them get you down because you’re feelin’ down,
never forget that it’s alright to be hurt and it’s alright to be angry,
but, i implore you, don’t make my mistakes,
don’t build your home in your resentment,
it’s far too easy to fill yourself with hate.

no, my friends, instead search for love,
for that is all of the above!
passionately pursue peace. go find your rest in Him,
your Father’s arms are spread wide for each and every single one of His prodigal children.

is this blasphemy or is it just an intonation of reality?
don’t tell me you enjoy the emptiness that claws at you inside.
God is in the rain, and i am fighting to find my first breath
so that i can gasp as i grasp for some fresh air.