Wayne Watson’s open letter

I just found an open letter from Wayne Watson published on his website.
The letter discloses his recent divorce from his wife.

This is a very difficult letter to write. For the past few years, being off the day-to-day radar of the music industry, as we know it, it’s become easy for me to think my life holds interest only to close friends and family.
But, this is a different day – a new season. God is opening doors again and with that comes the responsibility of greater accountability to those who have been gracious enough to show renewed interest in my life and the music that comes from it.
As painful as this is to tell you, I want you to be aware that Lynn and I separated in April of ’05 after 31 years of marriage. The divorce was finalized in November – almost a year ago now. It was not impulsive and was not a quick exit for someone or something else. It was an agonizing decision. The problems were long standing. After counseling and a lot of soul searching, I can only say that our marriage became impossible to live out together day by day. Between God and me, regarding all that has taken place, I am at peace.

I met Wayne in the Spring of 2003 at UMHB and he has a true heart of a minister and of God. I won’t even begin to speculate on what may have happened here, but I only hope the church can gather around two wounded souls and give them the support they need.

Bruce Almighty

Tomorrow I’ll be showing clips from Bruce Almighty in Sunday school.
For some reason my sister’s death has really hit me while talking to my mom late tonight and then watching clips from Bruce Almighty.
I don’t believe we can ever understand why God does what He does. But He does it no matter what. I want to be bitter and upset, but then I see how horrible people can become even when they have all they want.
I think Bruce Nolan realizes that throughout Bruce Almighty. He realizes that while it might be easy to give everything to everyone who asks, there’s a greater plan involved.
While he may want everything to go his way, God’s way is actually greater.
I have to believe that with my sister’s death. I want her back in my life so badly, yet I know I’ll never be able to see her again until I join her in Heaven.
It makes me want to sing along with the Los Lonely Boys singing “How far is Heaven?” even more.
But even more, several other songs come to mind that helped me through the week of my sister’s funeral.

Home Free – Wayne Watson
I’m trying hard not to think you unkind
But Heavenly Father If you know my heart
Surely you can read my mind
Good people underneath the sea of grief
Some get up and walk away
Some will find ultimate relief

Home Free, eventually
At the ultimate healing we will be
Home Free Home Free, oh I’ve got a feeling
At the ultimate healing
We will be Home Free

Out in the corridors we pray for life
A mother for her baby, A husband for his wife
Sometimes the good die young
It’s sad but true
And while we pray for one more heartbeat
The real comfort is with you

You know pain has little mercy
And suffering’s no respecter of age, of race or position
I know every prayer gets answered
But the hardest one to pray is slow to come
Oh Lord, not mine, but Your will be done

and also:

Beautiful Road – Wayne Watson
If I had my way, I must admit
If I called every play of the game
I’d pray for good times, blue ky and sunshine
And I’d avoid with a passion any pain
But with every blow from an engry wind

And with every dark shadow that falls
There’s a better view up around the bend
Where this puzzle makes some sense after all

Mistakes and misfortunes will come and go
For you to try and still fail is no disgrace
Sometimes a rough and rocky road
Is gonna take you to a beautiful place

Is there anyone out there looking back through you rfaith
That can deny that your Father knows what’s best
Oh but at the time and place for the life of you
You saw no reason, no good for the test
But now remembering as you watched His hand
Put the color to your black and white dreams
Maybe one more time past what you can see
Oh the trouble of the moment ain’t as bad as it seems

Sometimes the unspoiled beauty of the wisdom of God
Is lying there in the wilderness
Up there beyond the easy reach
Where the journey takes a little more,
just a little more faith I guess

Bruce Nolan says “Things happen for a reason” is cliche.
I sure hope its not cliche.
Paul writes, “That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” (Romans 8:29 MSG) or the NIV translates it as, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
If things happened by chance, it would make Amy’s life and death meaningless.
I hope, believe and know better.

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.