2020 in Country Music Lyrics

I like country music.  It’s taken me 20 years to own up to this as most people I know seem to not be fans.  But I like it.  I’ve liked it since I was a teen and my boyfriend worked at a country radio station.  I like the lyrics.  I like the songs.  I like that the songs have meaning and emotion.

I’m also a huge Garth Brooks fan.  If I’m alone in the house, I inevitably find myself playing Garth Brooks.

My favorite song since high school has been Garth Brooks “Unanswered Prayers.” My favorite part:

“Sometimes I thank God,

For unanswered prayers.

Remember when you’re talkin’

To the main upstairs

That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care

‘Cause some of God’s greatest gifts

Are unanswered prayers.”

This song speaks to me.  Sometimes there are things that I’m so sure I want – so sure I need to happen – and that I pray for — and they don’t seem to happen or don’t happen the way I planned.  But then, a year, two years, five years later — I’m able to look at the situation and understand why it happened the way it did.  Why God said, “Not right now,” “Take this path,” or “This way” instead of the direction I was headed and what I thought at the time I wanted and needed.

Over the last year, Garth Brooks, “The Dance” has spoken to me as well.

“And now, I’m glad I didn’t know

The way it all would end

The way it all would go

Our lives are better left to chance

I could have missed the pain

But I’da had to miss

The dance”

Isn’t this basically the lesson of the last year?  Sometimes it is challenging to truly appreciate and be grateful for all of the good things in our lives during the good times…  When there are moments that are hard, when times are tough, when friendships break, when a pandemic strikes, when nothing turns out the way you thought it would — it becomes really easy to look back and be grateful for all of the wonderful times.

Personally, I know that I wouldn’t change my past — it’s brought me to where I am now — and the hard and challenging aspects — as well as the wonderful memories I’ve made along the way — have made me who I am.  Even if I knew the hard parts were on the way, I wouldn’t give up the joyful memories to avoid those hard seasons.  I’d do it all again, anyway.

I have more faith than I give myself credit for most days…  I truly believe that we are all put here for a purpose and a reason — and put in each other’s lives for a purpose and a reason as well.  I know, in my heart, that in the long-run, it all works out and it all ends up the way it is meant to be… even when it isn’t what we imagined.  I can’t wait for the day when I can look back on everything that has happened over the last year  and clearly see the role it played in the trajectory of my journey and my trio’s journey.  I have no doubt it will be significant — and I’m ready for that silver lining.

Everything the last year has thrown my way has only helped to solidify that no matter what, I can and will always figure it out.

I always do.?