Don't give up, 'cause it'll all work out

I was trying to figure out what to write today and I thought it would be fun to browse through my old journals and see if my teenaged self wrote anything inspiring. I found a lot of talk about guys, friends and even a fun one about how I was mad that I had to sit at the kids table at Thanksgiving dinner. (Still sittin' there.) But written in the margin across one page, I found a quote from a song:

"Count your blessings

Count them 1, 2, 3

Don't give up

'Cause it'll all work out"

At the time of this entry, I was 18 years old, freshly graduated from high school, and waiting on my passport to arrive so I could take a trip to Japan with my school. We were leaving in just a few days and my passport, which we had paid an extra $75 to expedite, had not yet arrived. If it didn't come in time, I'd miss the flight with the students and teacher that I knew. I'd have to fly alone, at a later date. I was panicking. I was in the shower when I heard footsteps, my mom running up the stairs and into my bathroom. She shouted to me, "It's here, it's here!" and I just broke down and cried, relief washing over me. It would all work out indeed.

I really needed to hear this song again today. I've been feeling discouraged. About my writing, and where to go with it. About another rejection, and whether I should keep trying or go a different direction. About whether I'm spending my time well or just spinning my wheels. I felt uncertain about everything. 

But then I discovered that journal entry with the lyrics written in it. The song is called Strange Cup of Tea and it is by Sister Hazel. It was my anthem throughout my teen years. I listened to it over and over again on the CD player in my room, particularly when I was feeling down, but also when I was celebrating. I was given the assignment in English class to select a song to write about, and this song was it. It maintained me through hard times. Take a few minutes to have a listen. Listening to my song reminded me of all the blessings I have in my life. It reminded me of all the uncertainties I've experienced before. And though my life looks different than I had ever imagined, it has all worked out. 

Listen to the song. Take the message in, take it to wherever you are struggling today. Remember not to give up, for truly, it will all work out.

This is my anthem. What's yours?

Sometimes I wake with a weary head

And I wonder how I'll ever get through

Then I think of the things you said

How you told me to myself be true

My faith in things unseen

My belief that it'll all work out

May seem like a strange cup of tea

But if it's all right with you then it's all right with me

On my feet I walk, with my legs I run

In my arms I'll hold another day

With my head I think, from my heart I sing

And with my hands to my face I pray

There's times I feel with the strains of life

I could just turn around, turn around walk away

Then a strength like a beam from above

Lifts me up by the hand and it leads me to say

"Good things for good people you see

Good things, they seem to all work out

May seem like a strange cup of tea

But if it's all right with you, well, then it's all right with me"

On my feet I walk, with my legs I run

In my arms I'll hold another day

With my head I think, from my heart I sing

And with my hands to my face I pray

Gettin' by, it ain't enough for me

I know what I like, I like what I see

I'm not only flesh and blood but

I'm heart and soul I know, well

Sometimes I feel at the end of the day

Was it all worth while or have I settled for less?

I sit back and you're there by my side

Sincerely you say, "We're both so blessed"

Count your blessings, count them one, two, three

Don't give up 'cause it'll all work out

It may seem like a strange cup of tea but

If it's all right with you, it's just fine with me, yea

On my feet I walk, with my legs I run

In my arms I'll hold another day

With my head I think, from my heart I sing

And with my hands to my face I pray, oh yeah, now

Artist: Sister Hazel

Album: Fortress

Released: 2000

Writer(s): Ryan Carter Newell, Ken Block, Andrew Copeland, Jeff Beres, Mark E. Trojanowski

Copyright: Crooked Chimney Music Inc., Music Corp. Of America Inc. 

This post is part of the 30 Day Challenge.