The Way I've Always Been
Spring turn to winter again so I button up my coat.
I've been spending my time in the welfare line, cuz I've nowhere else to go.
I've got bats in my belfry and ghosts in my closet and people don't understand,
They just say that's the way I've always been,
Yeah they just say that's the way I've always been.
I'm a little bitty boy in the body of a man and I try to hold a job.
But I'm two steps behind for most of the time so they tell me to get lost.
My momma tries to help me and to comfort me but she don't understand,
She just says that's the way I've always been.
Yeah she just says that's the way I've always been.
Oh Jesus, Son of Man,
Why'd you leave me out of all your noble plans.
Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus,
Why have I been left alone in this dry and weary land.
I see the world so differently the way one eye only can.
I see the world as one plus none, so I don't perceive its math.
I'm lonely too and my friends are few, guess I'm my own society.
I'm the faceless name they'd just as soon pass by.
I could be a friend in waiting if they'd only let me try.
I have life to live and lots to give, if they just knew where to look.
I laugh and cry and frown and smile, why won't they take a look?
And if He created me in His imagery, then why am I so forlorn
Did He create someone to help me carry on?
Is there no one there to help me sing my song?
No, they say the porch lights on but the occupants not home.
Oh, Jesus, what's the plan?
Do you care enough to reach this one-off man?
Oh, Jesus Oh, Jesus
Won't you take my hand and help me understand.
Oh, Jesus, here I am.
Is there a place for me in all your kingdom lands
Oh, Jesus Oh, Jesus
You're the only I think can understand
Winter turn to spring again so I loosen up my coat
It's been a hard hard lonely winter but now I have some hope
For the birds are singing and the sky is clear as far as the eye can see
Finally something wonderful has happened to me
I'm not the man that once I used to be
For Jesus, oh Jesus, has set me free.
Brian, Bob, and Wally. Three different men with who lived different lives. Brian is mentally retarded. Bob not so, but still different enough to give you pause in his mental abilities. Wally was a drunk who had accepted life's lowest denominator which entailed a simple place to live and simple food but always something to drink. Are they beyond the gospel, too different to share the gospel with? I met Brian as a volunteer and developed a long term friendship with him. Brian came to church regularly for many years and accepted Christ through the faithful witness of Devin and many others who befriended him for all those years. Bob and Wally were both asked to church on multiple occasions, neither accepted nor opened the door as the car waited outside on many a Sunday morning. One day it was made known that Wally was in hospice and in a coma and near death. Though he had never stepped foot in church, Pastor Gary came and shared the gospel to him while he was in his coma. Soon, Wally died. Was the proclamation of the gospel at that time sufficient? Bob has not been witnessed to. Is there someone for him? One-off men. Not normal. Maybe not loved. But in the name of Jesus can we set aside our hesitancy and love them and share the gospel with them?
Mark Streuber