The _____ Who Stays

Earlier today, I was all excited because I heard on YouTube a new (to me) song that I knew I wanted as tomorrow's song sheet.  I found the lyrics, copied them to my preformatted song sheet creator and then it happened…  I hit "Save", entered the song title and discovered that I had created a song sheet of the same song earlier this month!

Well, I'll just tell you that I'm practicing my forgetfulness skills and leave it at that…

But wait…  

This particular song has an application to every person who does outreach activities to the awesome men and women on the streets of Kensington regardless of how you approach that effort.

My efforts, as flawed as they often are, are through the lens of my Christian Faith.  This song, written from the perspective of the person on the streets to God is the intended message.  It can be easily rearranged to meet the vantage point of every person who reaches out to these men and women who call sidewalk home.

Here are the original lyrics:

The God Who Stays

Matthew West -

God, If I were You

I would've given up on me by now
I would've labeled me a lost cause
Cause I feel just like a lost cause

If I were You

I would've turned around and walked away
I would've labeled me beyond repair
Cause I feel like I'm beyond repair

But somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here

You're the God   who stays
You're the God   who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays

I used to hide
Every time I thought I let You down
I always thought I had to earn my way
But I'm learning You don't work that way

Somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here

You're the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays 

My shame can't separate
My guilt can't separate
My past can't separate
I'm Yours forever

My sin can't separate
My scars can't separate
My failures can't separate
I'm Yours forever

No enemy can separate
No power of hell can take away
Your love for me will never change
I'm Yours forever

You're the God who stays
You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays
Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Jonathan Smith / Matthew West / ANDREW PRUIS

The _____  Who Stays lyrics © Highly Combustible Music, Two Story House Music, ONE77 SONGS

Now, let's take this same song and plug yourself into it.  What is your role on the streets?  Caseworker, Housing coordinator, nurse, doctor, pastor, friend, etc.?  Write yourself on the line, wherever you see a line in the lyrics below:

The _____ Who Stays

Matthew West -

______, If I were You

I would've given up on me by now
I would've labeled me a lost cause
Cause I feel just like a lost cause

If I were You _____

I would've turned around and walked away
I would've labeled me beyond repair
Cause I feel like I'm beyond repair

But somehow You _____, don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here

You're the _____ who stays
You're the _____ who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the _____ who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the _____ who stays

I used to hide
Every time I thought I let You down
I always thought I had to earn my way
But I'm learning You don't work that way

Somehow You don't see me like I do
Somehow You're still here

You're the _____  who stays
You're the _____  who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the _____  who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the _____  who stays

My shame can't separate
My guilt can't separate
My past can't separate
I'm Yours forever

My sin can't separate
My scars can't separate
My failures can't separate
I'm Yours forever

No enemy can separate
No power of hell can take away
Your love for me will never change
I'm Yours forever

You're the _____  who stays
You're the _____  who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the _____  who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the _____  who stays
Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Jonathan Smith / Matthew West / ANDREW PRUIS

The _____  Who Stays lyrics © Highly Combustible Music, Two Story House Music, ONE77 SONGS 

What an awesome privilege in your role as _____!

Thank you for doing what you do in the role that you do it!