When You Say Nothing At All 

Updated April 11, 2023

This song was sung at our wedding over 24 years ago. It was not my choice. My husband picked it. He loved this song. I get what it meant to him but I didn't really agree 100% with the song. 

Here is why. Yesterday was a year and a half since I lost my husband to the Delta variant of Covid 19. It was a very fast and unexpected loss. We thought he had a bit of a cold that was triggering his asthma and his inhaler ran out. It was the weekend so he couldn't call his provider for a refill. I took him to the ER and he went in. (Alone, because "Covid rules") of course they had to test him to allow him in. He popped positive! We were shocked! Five days later he was dead.

Since then I have NOT missed the times he "said Nothing at all." In fact the quietness has been the hardest of all!

What I have missed most are the times we spent hours alone talking! Sitting across from each other in our living room with no one around, no distractions, just he and I sharing our hearts, our thoughts, our dreams, our memories. 

This is what I miss most of all! His voice, his laughter, the tone and inflection of his voice. The way he laughed so hard he would cry. The way he wasn't ashamed of his tears when he cried over things he had done wrong or his broken heart for his kids, family, friends or lost souls. These are the things I have missed the most in the last year and a half.

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word, you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me whenever I fall
You say it best.. when you say nothing at all

All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd (the crowd)
Try as they may they can never define
What's been said between your heart and mine

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me whenever I fall
You say it best.. when you say nothing at all

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me whenever I fall
You say it best.. when you say nothing at all

(You say it best when you say nothing at all
You say it best when you say nothing at all..)

The smile on your face
The truth in your eyes
The touch of your hand
Let's me know that you need me..

by Ronan Keating

Till the Storm Passes By

TILL THE STORM PASSES BY (Mosie Lister) Recorded by: Bill Gaither; Vestal Goodman; Greater Vision; Inspirations; Ron Jarman; Ben Speer. In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face, While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place. 'Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry, Keep me safe till the storm passes by. Chorus Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, Till the clouds roll forever from the sky; Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand, Keep me safe till the storm passes by. Many times Satan whispered, "There is no need to try, For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by" But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise Where the storms never darken the skies. Chorus Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, Till the clouds roll forever from the sky; Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand, Keep me safe till the storm passes by. When the long night has ended and the storms come no more, Let me stand in Thy presence on the bright peaceful shore; In that land where the tempest, never comes, Lord, may I Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by. Chorus Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, Till the clouds roll forever from the sky; Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand, Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

This is one of Mathew's and my songs. When I was pregnant with him and scared and alone, I would rub my belly and sing or hum this song to him. It was such a comfort to me in times of worry and the unknown that lay ahead of me.
Then when he was born it was the song I would sing to calm him to sleep, or to ease him. There was something about the tune whether I was singing the words or humming the tune it settled his tears and crying (and mine too). Or when we were in the car alone together and I got worried or overwhelmed about something as a Mom trying to raise her son alone.
For the first three years of his life I sang this song thru all my storms. And they did pass by, and God did hold us in His mighty hands and protect us! This is a precious, precious song and I never hear it without remembering all the nights of singing it over and over till my voice gave out or we both finally fell asleep knowing God was our fortress in our storm!

Night With the Frogs

    A friend of mine and I were talking and started discussing sin. Not an abnormal topic, we are both Christians. And the question was asked, when a Christian friend willingly and knowingly sins. And you have gone to them Biblicaly and talked to them and they still choose to continue, with the "intent" to stop, but...not just yet.
    It reminds me of the song sung by Mark Rogers (http://www.mrogers.com/) called "One More Night With the Frogs" I have heard him sing this song since I was 17 and it is a fun song and I got it and understood what he was saying in the song. But yesterday it became so very real to me that that is what so many Christians do is excuse what they are doing wrong with reasons, explanations and whatever else they can come up with to make it ok to do what they want for now even though it is sin. Fully expecting to ask God to forgive them for it later and move on with no consequences, as if the slate were now wiped clean. But God says that our sins will find us out and we will pay for them. Here or in Heaven, eventually they cause hurt and pain not just for us but for so many around us that we later are broken hearted when we see how far the ripples in the pool have spread from our lives into the lives of those we love. But by then, it is too late and we have to live with it.
    So please don't, as Mark Rogers so eloquently puts it in his song, choose to spend "One More Night With the Frogs".

The last part of the song says:  One more night with the stinkin' frogs, one more night in sin! I had a terrible time with them last night, but I just gotta' do it again! You know it will always be a puzzle to me and I guess it's all because, they could of had peace, rest, and sleep, but chose one more night with the frogs.

For Always

For Always

For Always…All my life I dreamed of someone special who’d come along and make my dreams come true.

When I least expected love, it came my way, the moment I caught a glimpse of you!

For Always, I will give you my heart. Cherish every moment in your arms. As long as we’re together, I can face another day. I’ll love you (I will love you), For Always!

Hand in hand we’ll spend our lives together, we’ve pledged our love for all eternity. My soul is soaring, there is joy just in my heart. For I’m in love with you. (I’m in love with you!) And you’re in love with me (in love with me!)!

For Always, I will give you my heart. Cherish every moment in your arms. As long as we’re together, I can face another day. I’ll love you (Yes, I’ll love you), For Always!

For Always, I will give you my heart. Cherish every moment in your arms. As long as we’re together, I can face another day. I’ll love you (Yes, I’ll love you), For Always! For Always! For Always!

Jim and Melissa Brady

James and I have been married for over 12 years. Melissa Brady has been my friend since we were girls of only 11 years old and I met Jim and his family in Texas when I was in 1^st grade! Who would have known that these MANY years later their CD of love songs would mean so much to us? So many of the songs were as if they were written with us in mind and Jim and Melissa had never even met my husband when they made this CD and wrote these songs.

But that is just the way our Great God and Heavenly Father works. His Word can speak to a parent who has lost a baby or a wife who is a new widow or a single person who desires a husband or wife. He speaks to all of our needs and he can use a willing vessel to write songs that touch people’s hearts all around the world for his purpose. Songs that have a special meaning to each person or couple depending on where they are in they’re life.

 Are James and I perfect? NO Do we have a perfect marriage and never disagree or “fight”? NO Do we adore each other more than the day we got married over 12 years ago? You better believe it!! We gross out our kids all the time and especially embarrass our 16yr old (another blessing with a long story for later) son by hugging and “smooching”. But our kids have no doubt even on tough days when I’m hurting and snippy or Dad has worked 12 or 14 hrs, that we still love each other and that will be FOR ALWAYS!!

They know if Dad and Mom are in the same room they will be touching, my head on his shoulder, holding hands, sitting on his lap, his head in my lap, one of us rubbing the other’s feet, him brushing my hair, hugging or kissing or just sitting talking and laughing. We will be TOGETHER.

Twelve years, three kids, two cancers, 13 surgeries, and LOTS of grey hairs and he still holds my hand every time we ride in the car, no matter who is there. He holds my hand when we walk together, puts his arm  around me in church and gives me his arm when we walk in church and pulls the car to the front door while our sons help me in the car after church! I am loved and cared for like I am a fragile treasure! I AM LOVED FOR ALWAYS!!!

You'll Accomp'ny Me

A gypsey wind is blowin warm tonight
the sky is starlit and the time is right
and still your tellin me you have to go
before you leave there's somethin you should know

yeah
something you should know babe

I've seen you smilin in the summer sun
I've seen your long hair flyin when you run
i've made my mind up that its meant to be
someday lady you'll accomp'ny me

someday lady you'll acomp'ny me
out where rivers meet the soundin sea
your high above me now your wild and free
oh but someday lady you'll accomp'ny me
someday lady you'll accomp'ny me yeah

ohh

Some people say that love's a losin game
you start with fire but you lose the flame.
the ashes smolder but the warmths soon gone
you end cold and loneley own your own

Ill take my chances babe i'll risk it all
i'll win your love or i'll take the fall
ive made my mind up girl its meant to be,
someday lady you'll accomp'ny me

someday lady you'll acomp'ny me
it's written down somewhere its got to be
your high above flyin wild and free
oh but someday lady you'll accomp'ny me
someday lady you'll accomp'ny me yeah

someday lady you'll acomp'ny me
out where rivers meet the soundin sea
i feel it in my soul its meat to be
oh someday lady you'll accomp'ny me
someday lady you'll accomp'ny me yeah

you will acompany me
ohh
yeah

i know you will a-comp'ny me yeah
ahh
somday lady
ohh
somday lady
your gonna comp'ny me
your gonna walk with me and talk with me
yeah
ohh gonna comp'ny me
gonna comp'ny me yeah
someday 

Bob Seger  

Not a song you would expect to be on my list. I have only dated two men in my life and since I ended up married to both of them even songs from when i was dating the first time made a huge impression on me.

Some of them hurt too much for one reason or another to listen to now but they are still a part of me.

This one is one of Charlie's songs for me when we were dating. He would play it and tell me that when we got married he would take me to Ninilchik. Where he and his family lived and and we would go fishing together (the one thing he truley loved).

But one time he was playing in the parking lot at the bowling alley with a group from church and said something about it being meant for me and my brother Dewayne got mad and wanted to beat him up! I thought it was silly for Dewayne to get so mad but so proud that someone felt that way about me!

Wish I had looked down the road 12 years instead of just hearing a romantic song...

One Day At A Time

Anna Belle Barlow ~ My Maternal Grandmother (Mamaw)

I always remember her singing in a high quavery soprano. She seemed to always be singing or humming a hymn while she worked or walked or quilted. The only time she was quiet was when she was reading a book or dozed off while reading.

The song I remember the most vividly was her "morning song". Her brother owned a little country store/ gas station down the road around the corner from Papaw and Mamaw's farm. And IF you were lucky enough to wake up REALLY early, before anyone else, she would let you walk with her to her brother's store to get whatever she needed for the day. (Butter, loaf of bread,...) and as you walked along with the sun rising and dew glistening on the fields all around and the blacktop still dark black and cool from the night, she would start humming a few bars and then she would sing a word or two kind of quiet till we got past the house so she wouldn't wake anyone up and then she would start singing with all of her heart to God and His nature!

My heart sang along with her! A few times I joined in a bit. But mostly I loved to just hear her beautiful voice lifted in praise to her Savior in the early morning as we walked along hand in hand......

ONE DAY AT A TIME, SWEET JESUS I'm only human, I'm just a woman. Help me believe in what I could be And all that I am. Show me the stairway, I have to climb. Lord for my sake, teach me to take One day at a time. Chorus: One day at a time sweet Jesus That's all I'm asking from you. Just give me the strength To do everyday what I have to do. Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus And tomorrow may never be mine. Lord help me today, show me the way One day at a time. Do you remember, when you walked among men? Well Jesus you know if you're looking below It's worse now, than then. Cheating and stealing, violence and crime So for my sake, teach me to take One day at a time. (Chorus)

(Marijohn Wilkins / Kris Kristofferson)

In the Garden

1. I come to the garden alone,
   While the dew is still on the roses,
   And the voice I hear falling on my ear
   The Son of God discloses.
   
   • Refrain:
     And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
     And He tells me I am His own;
     And the joy we share as we tarry there,
     None other has ever known.
2. He speaks, and the sound of His voice
   Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
   And the melody that He gave to me
   Within my heart is ringing.
3. I’d stay in the garden with Him,
   Though the night around me be falling,
   But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
   His voice to me is calling.
4. Charles A. Miles, 1913

This is James' favorite song. I was surprised when I found that out, for some reason. He's a big, burly Alaskan. Raised on a fishing boat. Commercial fishing since he was 9 yrs old. the middle of 5 boys and one younger sister, his Mother had died when he was 16 and the rest of his time at home was with a heartbroken tough old Cajun father who was gone weeks at a time working.

   Not really a garden kind of guy you would think. But he has a tender heart of gold and he knows that God is where he finds his quiet and strength and isn't afraid to admit that to the world.

"Touch of the Master's Hand"

'Twas battered and scarred and the old 

auctioneer

He though it scarcely 

worthwhile
To waste much time with 

the old violin
But he held it up with a 

smile

What am I bidden, good 

folk, he cried
Who'll start the bidding 

for me
A dollar, a dollar, come, who'll make it two
Two dollars, now who'll make it three

Three dollars once and three dollars 

twice
And going for three -- but no
From the back of the room 

a grey haired man

Stepped forward and picked up the bow

And brushing the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the loose strings
He played a melody pure and so sweet
Sweet as the angels sing

When the music ceased the old auctioneer
In a voice that was quiet and low
Asked, What am I bidden for the 

old violin
And he held it up with the bow

A thousand dollars -- come, who'll make 

it two
Two thousand, and who'll make it three
Three thousand once and three thousand 

twice
And going and gone, cried he

And the people shouted, and 

some of them cried
We do not quite understand
What changed its worth -- 

swift came the reply
The touch of the master's hand

And many a man with life 

out of tune
And battered and scarred 

with sin
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine
A game and he travels on
He's going once and he's going twice
He's going and almost gone

But the master comes and the 

foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and 

the change that is wrought
By the touch of the master's hand

JN
Oct96

Trusting in God!

Had a horrible trip to Anchorage today. Almost wrecked in the taxi and both flights were rough especially the one home!! I was so scared on the one home all I could do was close my eyes and sing the verses over and over,
"Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God!"
I was so scared but the scripture song got me thru the trip, I'm so thankful that God gives us the song we need, when we need it!!!
Audrey

Rockin' Years

I'll do everything I can to make you proud to be my man 
And I'll fulfill all you fantasies 
I guess we're promising a lot, but for now it's all we've got 
And I'll stand by you thru our rockin' years 

Rockin' chairs, rockin' babies, rock-a-bye, rock of ages 
Side by side we'll be together always 
And if you'll hold me tight when you love me 
That's all I'll ask of you 
And I'll stand by you thru our rockin' years 

I'll be your friend, I'll be your lover 
Until the end, there'll be no other 
'Cause my heart has only room for one 
Yes, I'll always love you, and I'll always be here for you 
And I'll stand by you thru our rockin' years 

Rockin' chairs, rockin' babies, rock-a-bye, rock of ages 
Side by side we'll be together always 
And if you'll hold me tight when you love me 
That's all I'll ask of you 
And I'll stand by you thru our rockin' years 

Rockin' chairs, rockin' babies, rock-a-bye, rock of ages 
Side by side, we'll be together always 
And, yes, I'll always love you and I'll always be here for you 
And I'll stand by you thru our rockin' years, and I'll be here 
And I'll stand by you thru our rockin' years 
Thru our rockin' years

(Dolly Parton and Ricky Van Shelton)

One of James and my favorite songs. He put this on the mix tape he made for me for our honeymoon.