Some of the holiest moments I have experienced while hymn writing have been when I consider a deeply personal and painful experience and try to imagine how it might be of service to a singing congregation. In this case — just as with one of my earliest pieces, “I Know God Holds You” — the personal experience is one that has not always been fully welcomed or acknowledged in churches.

Divorce is prohibited in Christian scripture. This prohibition, like so many of the words of Jesus, is intended to protect those most vulnerable in his society. In that time and place, only men were able to initiate a divorce. When they did initiate one, it could leave their wives and children financially destitute.

In modern contexts, a blanket prohibition of divorce or moral judgement on those who choose it ignores the many reasons why a marriage may need to end. Coming from church organizations or communities, these prohibitions or judgements are especially harmful. Those experiencing the pain of divorce need God’s blessing and the support of their communities.

I wrote this text from my own divorce experience, longing for blessing in a painful time. The tune that Kate Williams composed in response broke my heart in a beautiful way. The music captures the aching, unresolved nature of this part of my life. I hope our collaboration will help others who, because of divorce or another painful change, need blessings as they unmake and remake their lives. The text can also speak to our collective experience as we witness things we value or trust in fall apart, and wonder what will come next. God comes closest to us in times of greatest need, and there is no shame in the honest telling of what is breaking within and around us.

You can find the text and music to preview or purchase on GIA Unbound here. It is also included in my collection Elemental Joy. Here is the song with Kate’s tune SHANNON RAE:

And with SLANE: