"For Us, He Will": A Mother's Love as Reflection of the Father

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know by now that I love music. I mean the title of this site speaks for itself. The person who instilled that love in me was my mother. When she was pregnant with me, she sang all the time. Even in the womb, I was exposed to all genres, everything gospel to musical soundtracks (To this day, we still harmonize to The Sound of Music every chance we get. Don't judge.)

Before Mom rededicated her life to Christ, she primarily listened to secular music, so for the first five years of my life, my go-to artists were Kirk Franklin, K-Ci and JoJo, Charlotte Church, Deborah Cox, TLC, and Monica. I remember back in 1998 when The Boy Is Mine album was released. I was 4 years old and still in a car seat, belting "For You I Will" at the top of my lungs. A few years later, I found out that Monica sang it with her oldest son, Rodney, in mind, so I thought it was special that my mom and I sang it together. It wasn't until adulthood that I realized that the song is applicable to a relationship with God.

Monica - The Boy Is Mine (1998) / Amazon

Verse 1:

When you're feeling lost in the night

When you feel your world just ain't right

Call on me, I will be waiting

Count on me, I will be there

Anytime the times get too tough

Anytime your best ain't enough

I'll be the one to make it better

I'll be there to protect you, see you through

I'll be there and there is nothing I won't do

When I was younger, I interpreted these lyrics as a mother's selfless love for her child, but they can also be read as the Father's love for His child. Whenever we're feeling lost, He's there. When nothing seems to be going right, when we feel like we can't make it, He always sees us through.

Verse 2:

I will shield your heart from the rain

I won't let no harm come your way

Oh, these arms will be your shelter

No, these arms won't let you down

If there is a mountain to move

I will move that mountain for you

I'm here for you, I'm here forever

I will be your fortress, tall and strong

I'll keep you safe, I'll stand beside you

right or wrong

This verse is basically Psalm 46:1-3 set to music. The New International Version reads, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in the time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." No matter what life throws our way, we can run into God's arms for safety. He will always be in our corner.

Now, on to my favorite part of the song, the bridge:

For you I will lay my life on the line

For you I will fight, oh

For you I will die

With every breath, with all my soul

I'll give my world, I'll give it all

Put your faith in me

And I'll do anything

I really don't know how I sang "For You I Will" for almost 20 years and never realized it's gospel. It's crazy how my whole perception of this song changed when I really took the time to think about the lyrics. Jesus literally laid down His life and died for us. He gave everything so that we might live, and all He wants in return is to know that we trust Him. God is so good!

I think it's safe to say I'll never sing this song the same way again. I know that Sunday is Mother's Day, and I believe that if she could, my mother really would bring me the moon, as the song describes. If I need her, even if I was on the other side of the world, I'm sure she'd attempt to cross every ocean to get to me as soon as possible. When I was younger, I used to think my mom was superwoman. She is one of the strongest people I know, and I consider her both hero and friend. The greatest gift she has given me is not just praying for me, but teaching me how to pray; not just holding my hand, but teaching me how to stand on my own. "For You I Will" makes me appreciate the sacrifices she's made for me, and it also makes me think about how mothers are a reflection of God's love for us. Everything we are is because they are, and everything they are is because He is.

My mother, Vivica, and I.

***To all those who have lost their mothers, my heart goes out to you. Those of us who still have our mothers all too often take them for granted, and during this time of year, most of us don't take into account the pain you must feel. While this post may make you sad, I hope it has also allowed you to reflect on who your mother was. Take comfort in knowing that God was the blueprint for her greatness, and lean on Him as you cherish her memory.