A Tapestry of Friendship

Pay attention, Gina. There are things happening you do not want to miss.

That’s what I have been telling myself these past few weeks. I’ve always tried to live that way, but seasons like the one I'm living in right now make you look a little closer for those don’t-miss moments. And for me, those moments often turn into songs. I had one of those moments this morning in the car while driving to my doctor's appointment. I almost missed putting the pieces together, but when I did, it made me smile and tear up at the same time.

I’m now sitting here going through my first chemo treatment. Good times. My friend Joel, a cancer survivor himself, reminded me the other day that chemo is a good thing and it’s a step in the right direction. I needed to hear that.

Back to this morning’s moment. Actually, I need to go back a little further.  

Several years ago, my friend Todd, was walking his wife through a fierce and lengthy battle with cancer. Karen was an amazing warrior and bright light who eventually found her healing in heaven. I didn’t know her well, but Todd and I had connected over music and ministry over the years so I followed their journey through Todd’s online updates.

On one particularly hard day, Todd wrote about his determination to keep a right perspective during a very dark moment when his circumstances were about to get the best of him. If I remember correctly, he had to walk out of Karen’s hospital room at one point, feeling overwhelmed by his emotions. Anger. Fear. Pain. Sadness. Standing outside her room, he made the courageous decision to tell his emotions who’s boss. I read in awe as he wrote how he would not let his cries of desperation be louder than his praise. It blew me away.

A few weeks later I was in a writing room with my friend, Lee. I’ve probably written more songs with Lee than any other co-writer. Our writing sessions are always fun and productive. But the best part of every session is the hang. Those minutes (more like hours) when we catch up on our family's lives, rant about whatever has us on edge that day, and just talk about life. One of the coolest parts about our writing relationship, is how it led me to a cherished friendship with his wife, Melissa. We're pretty sure we are twins, separated at birth. It's a dark-humor, four-kid-mom, music-connection, similar-tastes, love-Jesus, kind of friendship. So grateful for her. Okay, back to songwriting. On this particular day, I approached him with writing the idea sparked by Todd’s blog. It wasn’t a particularly easy idea to write, because at that point, I’m not sure either of us could fathom being in Todd’s shoes, let alone being able to live out his brave faith. But we tried, and by the end of the day, we had a song. 

Fast forward to this morning. I hopped on Facebook on the way to my appointment and saw a notification from another friend, Kevin. I don’t know Kevin well, but our kids became friends at college and I used to frequent his amazing restaurant in town, which he owned with his wife. Several months ago, I asked Kevin to contribute to a book I was writing about raising creative kids. He graciously agreed and I am so grateful to have part of his story in my book. Kevin has traveled a cancer journey as well, with his wife, Karen. Sadly, he recently had to walk her home as well. I have marveled at how he has processed not only Karen’s passing and his grief, but all the highs and lows he has experienced as a creative and entrepreneur. I, for one, have benefited greatly from his writings. 

Lately, Kevin has been asking friends to send him a song, via Facebook. A different friend and a new song every day. And today, of all days, he asked me. He posted, “Gina, from one creative to another, can you send me a song that moves you despite your circumstances?” I knew immediately which song I wanted to share. (I don’t know that he was expecting one of my own songs, but that’s what he’s getting!) I have no idea if Kevin knew what today had in store for me, but God knew. 

And there, my friends, is the moment. 

​One of the things I have noticed in these past four weeks, is how God has so graciously woven relationships through my life over the 53 years I have walked this earth. As news of my diagnosis spread, people I’ve hardly spoken with in years have reached out, offering encouragement and sharing their own cancer journeys. I have realized how incredibly blessed I am to have connected with so many amazing people who are kind, generous, funny, strong, and willing to help in any way they can. I am grateful beyond words.

So this morning, as I sit here during chemo, I am sharing a song with you. A song I wrote with my friend, Lee. A song I need to hear today. A song, written after being inspired by my friend Todd, because he was brave enough to share his cancer journey with me. And I share this song, on this day, because my friend Kevin, who is bravely working through his own grief asked me to share it with him. Yes, this tapestry of friendship is a beautiful thing.

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LOUDER THAN MY PRAISE
Lee Black / Gina Boe

Sometimes the pain is like the roaring of a train
And the sound is drowning out the voice of hope
Disappointment screams and the noise is deafening
When anger rages like a fire against the truth I’ve known

I’ve cried out questioning when fear confronts what I believe
But through it all I choose to sing this song that’s rising up in me

No power can separate me
No suffering devastate me
’Cause my God is greater still
Than any sorrow I might feel
And if it brings me to my knees
I’m gonna worship in my weakness
And no cry of desperation 
Will be louder than my praise

It’s hard to understand the mystery of the Father’s plan
Harder still to say Lord, let your will be done
But that’s how it is with faith, you just follow anyway
And pray He’ll give you strength to trust no matter what

’Cause He remains unshakeable, His goodness unmistakable
So when life tries to steal my song, I’m gonna sing it even stronger

No power can separate me
No suffering devastate me
’Cause my God is greater still
Than any sorrow I might feel
And if it brings me to my knees
I’m gonna worship in my weakness
And no cry of desperation 
Will be louder than my praise

He gives, He takes away
Blessed be the name, blessed be the name
He gives, He takes away
Blessed be the name, blessed be the name
He gives, He takes away
Blessed be the name, blessed be the name
He gives, He takes away
Blessed be the name, blessed be the name

​No power can separate me
No suffering devastate me
’Cause my God is greater still
Than any sorrow I might feel
And if it brings me to my knees
I’m gonna worship in my weakness
And no cry of desperation 
Will be louder than my praise