about being kept

I think I've put this song on my blog before, but I'm blogging about it again - because I LOVE this song.

I was driving home from work and it came on the radio, and when I hear it I get teary-eyed and sappy and emotional. I was just sitting (truly, the most appropriate verb to describe a NOVA commute) on I-66 crying like a baby... but then again, a contestant singing "What if God was One of Us" on The Voice also made me cry tonight, so my tears may be losing their street cred.

The point is - there is this one line in "Arms" by Christina Perri that KILLS me.  In the good sense, of course.

She sings "You put your arms around me and I believe that it's easier for you to let me go."

Sometimes I forget to think of myself as a person who is kept.  Sometimes I forget that despite my obnoxious tendencies, nagging doubts, selfishness, and self-reliance, the Lord has chosen to keep me.  When it would be easier for him to let me go.

When you lose a penny, you let it slide.  It's not worth the effort.  But when you lose a diamond, you tear up your house looking for it.  You retrace every step.  You won't let it go because it is of tremendous wealth.

The Lord keeps us, moves Heaven and Earth to keep us near, because we are of such tremendous worth.  That is the truth.

Sometimes I just need to close my eyes and say "Emily - You. Are. Keepable." and breathe a little and then everything in the world takes on beauty and hope again.