New Theme Song: “Lead Me” by Sanctus Real

This morning, Suzanne and I divided & conquered. She had a long list of things to go pick up for a couple of upcoming showers, so she loaded up Thomas and hit the road. I took Matthew & Joseph with me to Catholic Supply to look for a copy of the National Directory for Catechesis and to seek out ideas for our upcoming 7th & 8th grade Public School of Religion (PSR) & Confirmation prep class.

On the way, I was listening to Joy FM (yeah, I really miss Classic 99 here in St. Louis, but I'm also really liking Joy FM) and the song "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real came on.

I hadn't heard the song yet, but it was perfect for me right now in my life, with my vocation as a husband and my mission as a dad.

It's my new personal theme song.

Here's a clip about the genesis of "Lead Me":

The Story Behind "Lead Me" - Sanctus Real from BrightBulb Entertainment on Vimeo.

If you head to the Sanctus Real website right now, you can hear the song. There's also a link to buy it on iTunes.

Here are the lyrics...

Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're in independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Reminds me of some clips from Humanae Vitae...

God's Loving Design

8. Married love particularly reveals its true nature and nobility when we realize that it takes its origin from God, who "is love," (6) the Father "from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named." (7)

Marriage, then, is far from being the effect of chance or the result of the blind evolution of natural forces. It is in reality the wise and provident institution of God the Creator, whose purpose was to effect in man His loving design. As a consequence, husband and wife, through that mutual gift of themselves, which is specific and exclusive to them alone, develop that union of two persons in which they perfect one another, cooperating with God in the generation and rearing of new lives.

The marriage of those who have been baptized is, in addition, invested with the dignity of a sacramental sign of grace, for it represents the union of Christ and His Church.

...and...

Married Love

9. In the light of these facts the characteristic features and exigencies of married love are clearly indicated, and it is of the highest importance to evaluate them exactly.

This love is above all fully human, a compound of sense and spirit. It is not, then, merely a question of natural instinct or emotional drive. It is also, and above all, an act of the free will, whose trust is such that it is meant not only to survive the joys and sorrows of daily life, but also to grow, so that husband and wife become in a way one heart and one soul, and together attain their human fulfillment.

It is a love which is total—that very special form of personal friendship in which husband and wife generously share everything, allowing no unreasonable exceptions and not thinking solely of their own convenience. Whoever really loves his partner loves not only for what he receives, but loves that partner for the partner's own sake, content to be able to enrich the other with the gift of himself.

Married love is also faithful and exclusive of all other, and this until death. This is how husband and wife understood it on the day on which, fully aware of what they were doing, they freely vowed themselves to one another in marriage. Though this fidelity of husband and wife sometimes presents difficulties, no one has the right to assert that it is impossible; it is, on the contrary, always honorable and meritorious. The example of countless married couples proves not only that fidelity is in accord with the nature of marriage, but also that it is the source of profound and enduring happiness.

Finally, this love is fecund. It is not confined wholly to the loving interchange of husband and wife; it also contrives to go beyond this to bring new life into being. "Marriage and conjugal love are by their nature ordained toward the procreation and education of children. Children are really the supreme gift of marriage and contribute in the highest degree to their parents' welfare." (8)

This marriage thing isn't easy. It's the combination of two distinct, individuals with their own unique dreams, ambitions, passions, and dignity. Those have to constantly be discussed and fused together into one mission for life and eternity. That's why it's at least somewhat easier when we keep the mutual goal of eternal life at the center of our marriages. It becomes a common, shared goal that trumps all.

Still, from day to day, there are individual ideas, dreams, goals that pop up. They have to be discussed and considered rationally in the light of the partnership of marriage... are they possible? Can they be attained together? Do they contribute to the betterment of the whole? Can both share in the goal together? Can both share the glory in its fulfillment? The answer should be "yes"!

This does mean self-denial. It also means openness to discussion and honest critique, and to setting aside some personal ideas and objectives for now - or forever.

Sometimes it really does take the heartfelt prayer, "Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone..."