Better than a Hallelujah

Think about the music your parents listened to while you were in the back of the car, probably sleeping in a car seat. Think about the tape they put in the car while you sat, fighting with your siblings on the way to soccer practice. That CD you begged your mom to change when you sat shotgun, on the way to high school. I have a theory, that this music is the music we revel in as adults. It brings us back to fond memories and we dwell in it when it comes on the radio.

For me, those tunes are the sounds of Amy Grant. When my ipod lands on “Heart in Motion” or “Good For Me”, the dial gets cranked up a few notches and I rock out. Make fun of me for loving my 90’s tunes, but I know the same goes for you when The Eagles, Dolly Parton, or insert your parents’ choice music here. Last night I saw Amy Grant in concert. Though she had the same dance moves onstage that my mom (and probably yours too) has offstage, something about hearing “Baby, Baby” for the first time in ages caused my heart to burst with exhilaration. It also caused dance moves that mimic your mother.

She sang one song in particular that struck a cord, so to speak. It’s one of her most recent songs, called "Better than a Hallelujah". (her first album was put out in 1979... this most recent in 2010. She's got some seriously underestimated longevity) I listened to the lyrics and could not help but be reminded of God’s desire for our honesty. I thought of the example King David set when he cried out to God amidst his frustration and anger. David expressed his emotions to God whenever he felt abandoned, angry, or upset. (see Psalm 22, 38, 13,42…the list goes on) So then why do we so often feel like we have to put on a “happy face” for God? We mask our prayers in thanks and praise, even when we are angry, confused or upset. We have a God who tells us to “come to [him], all who are weary, and [he] will give us rest” (matt. 11:38) yet we try to put on a brave face when we come to him. It's important to go to God and he will fix you; you don't need to fix yourself to go to God. He made us human, with human emotions to be expressed. This song reminds us of God’s unfailing love, and his desire to have a real relationship with us, even though we are so imperfect. (I posted the awesome lyrics, but I couldn't get the video for the song... so just Youtube it.)

God loves a lullaby 


In a mothers tears in the dead of night 


Better than a Hallelujah sometimes. 


God loves the drunkards cry, 


The soldiers plea not to let him die


Better than a Hallelujah sometimes. 



We pour out our miseries, 
God just hears a melody 


Beautiful the mess we are 


The honest cries of breaking hearts 


Are better than a Hallelujah. 



The woman holding on for life, 


The dying man giving up the fight 


Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes 


The tears of shame for what's been done, 


The silence when the words won't come 


Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes. 


Better than a church bell ringing, 


Better than a choir singing out, singing out.