Dear Drake

Confession:

I love Drake.

Yes, thank you Canada for producing such a fine young gentleman.

I know, I know, I know. Some of his songs are…morally questionable. But daaaaang they’ve got some sick beats!

And sometimes, a girl’s just gotta have a dance party like it’s 1999 to some Hotline Bling and bust out my grandpa dance 🙂

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But I was listening to Spotify this afternoon, and Drake is all over the Top 40’s station.

And yes, I listen to Top 40’s….because I am *cool.*


Riiiight…

But there’s a lyric in one of his songs that goes like this:

“I gotta talk to God even though he isn’t near me/Based on what I got it’s hard to think he don’t hear me”

And I literally stopped on the street, and made a note of it. And here’s why:

This little stanza illustrates what I personally believe is a big problem with how we view the Father.

I think a lot of people think God is some distant enigma that acts as a vending machine, and who makes bad things happen to bad people and good things happen to His “favorites.”

That could not be further from the truth.

I think a lot of times, we can take inventory of our lives and judge, based upon our circumstances, where we stand in God’s favor.

Things are going right, God is smiling on me. Things are going to pot, well, I must have done something to really piss off the Guy Upstairs.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Looking back at the course my life has taken thus far in my 20-something years on this earth, I have definitely “walked through the valley,” which is simply just “church speak” for I’ve done a lot of crapola.


But it’s true. I don’t need to rehash it, but with anorexia comes a lot of other baggage: lying, manipulation, deceit, vanity, rage, idolization of things other than God, jealousy and the biggie: pride.

Quite the laundry list.

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But looking back from a place of health and freedom and peace, I can honestly say that it was in that dark place that I truly learned of God’s love the most.

It wasn’t when everything was peachy keen, going my way, rolling merrily along.

No.

It was in the times of desperation where I had no where else to turn, no other lifeline to rely on, no other source of strength or hope.

That was when I learned of His love. Of His goodness. Of His mercy.

I learned that He is always with me, and hears my cries.


Here’s the thing I think we often forget about that verse: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

Some translations say “the darkest valley.” Which I think is even more powerful.

Because think about when we were little: we’d play the trust game with our friends where we’d be blindfolded and our friends would lead us around the backyard or basement.

That’s what God is doing here. He is guiding us. With His rod and staff. That’s how close He is to us. We are literally under His arm, right next to His shepherd’s staff.

If that’s not comforting, I don’t know what is.


God doesn’t show His love by showering us with Bugattis and Rolex Watches. I mean, He could…and I’d be totally on board with that;)

But sometimes, God allows us to go through things in order for us to realize just how much He loves us…and to rely on that love.

So Drake, I love ya, but you’re just flat out wrong on that one.

God is near. So near, we can feel His shepherd’s staff as He guides us through the dark valley. And His love isn’t shown by ‘what we got,’ but rather, the true gift ‘we got’ on the Cross.

Anywho. Just a little reflection. If you need me, I’ll be jammin’ to Hotline Bling *puts on sunglasses and drops mic*


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228 responses to “Dear Drake”

  3. I LOVE Drake. Even my 12 year old knows I love his music. It’s so melodic and like you daid his beats are 🔥. I love the 2 CDs : the one where he’s sitting at the table with the gold chalice (Take Care, I think) and the one with just his face against the blue background. The last one was a little much for me (If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late). I love melodic Drake not angry Drake but I did like 2 or 3 songs off of it. Looks like he’s coming back with dance music for us with this new album. Yeah!!!! And he’s not hard on the eyes either. In fact, he’s damn fine (don’t tell hubby I said that). 😂😂😂😂😂

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    • Hahah I am so with you!! He is definitely nice to look at☺️ he can serenade me all day! Haha so glad you’re a fan too! Thanks for reading! Hugs and love xox

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  6. I agree with you 100% and that is one of my favorite quotes from the Bible too. God is always there to help us in all circumstances. We need to open up and trust. Great post! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. The good and bad thing. It is such a struggle for some to comprehend that God is not behaviourally based. He intervenes at the strangest times to the strangest people. There’s no works to it. It’s all Spirit. That is all. If one stops a moment, takes note, and picks up the Spirit, that’s it. You’re down and your ego with it. Now the works are au naturél, automatic, we ain’t even trying.

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  21. This is fantastic. You completely spoilt us. Thank you for writing from heart. Drake is blessed by your presence and I am keeping my fingers crossed for your upcoming book Inshallah I know it will change perceptions and bring people to light. Blessed be dear sister . Nothing but the best for you

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  24. Love your transparency and creative writing skills! WOW! I cracked up with chronic depression in 2008 after 38 years of pastoral ministry. As regards Papa’s nearness I now only picture myself holding one of our young grandchildren. Sophia, our youngest, will still come to grandpa to snuggle in my lap. Though I’m 73 that’s the picture that I hold before my heart relative to me and Abba. By the way have you read anything of Brennan Manning? if not, try Ragmuffin Gospel.

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    • Hey Tom! Aw thank you so much:) 38 years, wow what a ministry! I haven’t read any of his stuff-I’ve definitely heard great things about the ragamuffin gospel. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation! Hugs and love xox

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  26. It’s kind of a funny thing: Your reaction to that Drake lyric is kind of how I reacted when I understood the meaning of the Bette Midler song “From A Distance”. I always thought, “Oh, nice song about God and all.” Then, I really listened to the lyrics. She starts off saying that from a distance everything looks good and lovely and friendly. No wars. No inequality and so on. Then, the chorus says that God is watching us from a distance. Basically meaning that God is totally clueless about how hard life is down here. That threw me for the proverbial loop. And not at all in a good way. 🙁

    God knows how hard life is on this Earth. He lived on it for 33 years and had to deal with all sorts of negative human stuff: hunger, thirst, poverty, people who kept trying to trick Him into saying the wrong things. Not to mention: dust, heat, and so on in His travels.

    Even now, He sees us as we are. He knows how we struggle through stuff. And the amazing thing is He is willing to help us if we ask Him. Yes, there are times when He will delay saying yes. Or He’ll see the wisdom in saying no. But even when He says no, it is not because He doesn’t care. It is because He can see the good that will come out of it, even when we can’t.

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  27. Great post 🙂 You are totally right, God does not let bad things happen to us because he is angry at us, but he might be guiding an individual to something important or lack thereof. The bad thing does not even have to be something drastic, but maybe something like a minor setback (not getting a promotion at work or something). In other words, God might be guiding us towards something better. Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂

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    • Hey hey John! I think you’re really into something there-His plans for us are always far better than any we could imagine for ourselves. We just have to trust Him and hand over the wheel. That’s definitely something I have to work on! Thanks for always being such a great encourager and friend! Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs and love xox

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  30. I love that line: “We are literally under His arm, right next to His shepherd’s staff” – that is comforting… Thanks for this post – it’s lovely! x

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  31. I love, love, love it! Your blog is totally awesome! and just when I think I’ve read the best post, you drop another one. Keep it coming girl! God bless! <3

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    • Hey Dainty! Oh my gosh thank you so much! Haha you’re so sweet:) it brings my heart so much joy to know that you enjoy reading my post. It seriously means the world, so thank you❤️ hope you have a fabulous weekend! Hugs and love xox

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  32. Luke 13: 2-5 – “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”

    I’ve always seen this as Jesus’ telling us it’s a rough world with sin in it. Stuff happens “here” whether you wear a white hat or not. The thing is to be right with Him and the Father so we’ll be with Them “there.”

    I’ve been at death’s door three times, lost careers and everything. There were days…

    …but He keeps holding on. Even when I don’t. Keeps me under His arm, especially when I’m squirming! Sometimes I can hardly believe He stays with me! Then he sends people, circumstances, and friends like you to keep me going. You are always a pick-me-up. Thanks!

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    • Wow, thank you Jeff. This is truly a powerful comment. So much truth, so much profound insight. You are wise, my friend. Very wise. And you’re right-at first glance, those verses seem to be communicating one thing, but upon further reflection, you’re right on the money. He DOES keep holding on. And praise God for that. Have a wonderful weekend my friend! Hugs and love xox

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  34. Reminds me. I have been reading the book of Job. God doesn’t owe us any blessings. When we obey Him and lead godly lives we are only doing what is to be expected of us. The fact that we have so many blessings in our lives is attributable to God’s love and kindness and mercy rather than our own goodness.

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  35. Such a good read. I couldn’t agree more that the dark times are when we can feel God’s love and presence the most. In those moments we having nothing and no one to trust but God is when I have felt him the most.
    Great words!

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  36. Completely off topic – good post, btw – but what “app” or whatever do you use to make your “text images”? They’re really good and obviously they’re custom.

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  37. Sometimes when you are in so deep and dark, it’s hard to see that true position. Complete trust in Him is an exercise of faith that can be excruciating, but liberating when you take that step. Thanks for your words…

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    • Hi Damon! Thank you for this wonderful comment. You hit the nail on the head: trusting can be so incredibly difficult, but so so liberating. Definitely an exercise of faith that I have to continue to work on. Thanks for reading! Hugs and love xox

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  40. Even though I’m totally pop-scene challenged, loved what you had to say. It’s good that we stop believing in a “Santa Claus” God (keeping a list of who’s naughty and nice…) and realize that He is love and as near to us as our breath. Blessings.

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    • Hi Mel! Thank you for this great comment. A Santa Claus God-that is so true, I had never thought of that! But you’re so right-that’s not how the Father operates at all! He really is as near to is as our breath. Heck, he IS our breath! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  41. Thank you, again for another open and honest post. Reading this, I’m so grateful for your willingness to be so open with your past and with your recovery. When I read your admission to the behaviors that were part and parcel of your anorexia, the lying, manipulation, vanity, deceit, rage, and idolization of things other than God, I stopped. I can relate to all of them. I find myself going through this repeating cycle of thinking. The BIG realization that made my recovery possible was understanding that I am loved and precious to God regardless of my sinfulness. I don’t need to change in order to be forgiven, to be loved, or even to be saved, because there’s nothing I could ever do that would *earn* my salvation, and because Christ’s sacrifice is so much greater than me and all my crapola (such a great word). I can hang onto that truth for a quick second, long enough to feel a twinge of self-compassion, and then I circle back into this deep swamp of unworthiness, shame, and fear, thinking of all the ways that I am a failure (I am too judgmental, I don’t pray well enough or sincerely enough, I’m too self-centered, I don’t go to church every day, I don’t do enough acts of service for the poor and needy). When I’m in that frame of mind, I feel so desperate, isolated, hopeless, and unsavable. Reading your words helped me to remember that I am not the only one who struggles with dark things. Thank you for reminding me that none of us are beyond God’s mercy.

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    • Hi Lulu my beautiful friend! thank you so much for sharing this. You are so so right- none of us are beyond god’s mercy. And what a comforting thought that is. I can so relate to you circle of self compassion and then a “swamp of unworthiness) -which is such a great description of it. But I feel ya. The only thing that gets me through is looking at the cross necklace I wear and realizing that He deemed me (and you!) so worthy that He took to the cross. Sending big big hugs. Hope you have a beautiful weekend! Xox

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  43. I’m from Toronto, where it’s illegal to not like Drake!! Thank you for writing this and finding a way to connect it to something people are familiar with. Too many posts about God have no real life connection and it’s hard to make sense of it.

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    • Haha yeah Toronto! Thank you so much:) I’m so glad it struck a chord with you. I definitely am a huge drake fan too! I just found that lyric really hit me with something deeper. Thanks for reading Viola! Hugs and love xox

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  44. This post was so ON POINT!! I love how you take simple, everyday things and turn it into a sermon! Your posts are so inspiring! You should seriously write a book. Thank you!! 🙂

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  45. I loved this post! It felt so honest and was such a lovely comment on religion. I constantly feel like I get rolled eyes when I admit to believing in God and continuously have to hear the good things/bad things argument. I really related to what you were saying here.

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    • Thank you so much! Aw I’m so glad that it resonated with you:) you’re right, it can definitely be difficult to stand up for your faith in today’s world. Thanks for your kind words! Hugs and love xox

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  48. This is a very good post. Something I have been noticing in my own life, in my own way. In recent years, my life has become rather difficult. I really thought I had done something wrong. I am not perfect by any means, but what had I done to cause my life to seem like a constant struggle everyday?

    Lately I have come to welcome the challenges. Yes, challenges. The main challenge being that of simply understanding that I am not in control of this life. Even of my life. Yes, I make my own choices every day. But, I have also realized that I make those choices when the time is right to make them. Most all things in my life are out of my control. Many things that will happen in the next week, I don’t have any idea of how and when I will make those choices that have to be made, but I will make those choices, when the time comes. Yes, when the time comes.

    I don’t worry about them now. I could worry about all the choices I have to make and what choices I should make, but I have come to understand for myself, that I will make the right choices based on the wonderful conscience that the Lord has given me. Has give to us all, if only we would listen to this wonderful tool that the Lord has given all of us. I no longer spend my time, frozen in fear of what’s to come, fearing my choices and, as you stated about the “darkest valley”, in many ways, this life is the darkest valley. Each day, we go out blind into a world that is often very strange to our inner selves who know of life in the Lord. A life that is not this life, as we see it with our eyes.

    The Lord does guide us. He will guide us, if we allow Him to do so. Life often doesn’t get any easier, in relations to our desires for a peaceful, quiet life of leisure that many people seem to seek, but this life does express itself through the challenges placed before us in each day. Facing those challenges with courage. A courage placed within by the Lord and enhanced by our faith and trust in Him.

    Wonderful post! 🙂

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  51. This is true. People often forget that all the heroes in the bible went through trials and tribulation before they were known as great men and women of God. There’s ton of scriptures and stories about the hardships of God’s people. Look at Jesus; God’s only begotten son. He was closer to God than anyone and suffered more than anyone. So right on!

    P.S U with me?, Weston Road Flows, Redemption, Faithful, Summers over interlude, and Fire and Desire is my current Drake playlist. Lol

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    • Thank you so much! You’re so right-Jesus is the ultimate example of that. And yesss! That’s such a great playlist! My favorites are one dance and summer sixteen! I listen to them when I’m getting ready to go out!! Such great songs ☺️ thanks for reading! Hugs and love xox

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  53. Okay, I gotta add a bit more to this. I one time went through what you think, I think about the same age, too, but I have to ask, if only to try to make you dig a little deeper, and I promise you I am not in any way trying to be disparaging. This is an honest question – how do you know? Where does your sureness come from and please have it be more than a feeling. What is your proof beyond what you were told or read – if you are will to explore those reasons. If you don’t – no love lost. I’d like to ask you a question, though. As human beings in general, What is the reason for having a faith. What do you look for in a faith? Since there are so many and many are so similar, why did you choose the avenue you did?

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    • Hi Sonni, thank you for this question. I have absolutely no doubts about my belief in God. And my life is my proof. I was 78 pounds and literally at deaths door with my severe anorexia. The treatment facility I went to told my parents I was the worst case they had ever seen and didn’t know how my body was still holding on. The only way I got better was with God’s help. That is miracle #1. Miracle #2 is a similar situation. I have ulcerative colitis and I was on bed rest due to a flare for an entire year. I went to 8 different doctors, was on, at one point, 102 different pills/drops/powders/medicines throughout the day. Nothing worked. The next step was having my intestines removed. God saved me again by introducing the specific carb diet into my radar, a radical, therapeutic diet. It worked. And to this day I am healed of my ulcerative colitis (an autoimmune disease for which there is no cure.) miracle #3 around the time when my anorexia developed, I was also in another ulcerative colitis flare. I was dropping all this weight, despite eating and trying not to. They doctors ran s test where I had to eat these “tracker eggs” which had a special chemical in them so they could see where they were, real time, on an MRI. The chemical made them visible on the scan. What they found was that my stomach was paralyzed (the pyloric valve) and would not empty. It’s caused gastroparseis. The eggs, which were supposed to pass through the stomach in less than an hour, took nearly 7 hours to empty. This was why I was losing a lot of weight and was malnourished, because the food wasn’t making it to the intestines, were the nutrients were absorbed. Long story short, we went to this Faith- based naturopath and he prayed over me and introduced me to apple cider vinegar. (He was the same person who introduced me to the specific carb diet too) But I went back 2 weeks later to do the stomach emptying test (with the MRI and the scrambled eggs) and my results were completely normal. The doctors at the hospital literally called it a miracle and had no idea how the gastroparseis reversed itself. They had never seen it before. So Sonni, God has literally worked miracles in my life. I would not be here had it not been for His saving hand. I hope that helps answer your questions.

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      • Oh you poor girl. You have been through so much. My question was not to refute you our to tell you that you g are wrong or I am right. We hear so much of that and it puts people against people. I do understand, especially when you come from death’s door. I, too, went through a bad time where I should have died, was sick for years and finally at then got a liver transplant. The healing was horrendous and the pain unbearable. I will never have perfect health and out of pain but I’m alive and I have a full life, devoted to helping others, teaching then how to have the confidence and determination to change their lives.

        But you and I have two completely different faiths. Is one right and one wrong.I’m beginning to think, no. Not if the faith we have enabled us to continue on against all oddsodds. There are aspects of our faith that are the same and many that are not. You are Christian and I am Buddhist and I know it because of the faith and determination , the focus and confidence that pulled me through. Understanding the law of cause and effect, which you call, you reap what you sow, enabled me to understand why it happened to me.

        So here we are, two women, sure of what we believe in. I don’t believe in miracles. What happens in our lives are the effects of causes we have made, even if we don’t understand what those causes are. To you, Good put the right people in your path to help you. To me, the causes were made to put the right people’s on my faith. However it happened, we sure were meant to live! A lot of it was our faith in what we believe and our determination to survive. But I would not have survived if I had tried using faith in God and you would not survived using Buddhism, if it wasnt what you believed. This will take more thought because it seems to be determined by how strongly we believe, maybe not what we perceive to be the truth, or one of us would not have made it. I know a lot about Christianity. It was raised in the church and left it. I’ve been
        Buddhist for 28 years. For knowledge sake only, not trying to convert, it is good to understand different faiths. If you’d like to go to http://sgi-usa.org. It stands for the soka gakkai, translated from Japanese to mean. Value creation Society. I hope to talk again

      • Hi Sonni, thanks again for this great perspective. I’m so glad to hear that you also are a survivor and that you’re living a full and healthy life. That is so so great! 🙂 I definitely don’t have a lot of knowledge on Buddhism, but I absolutely respect your beliefs. Like you said, for me, it was God who got me through those incredibly trying times. I think it is wonderful that you’re using your life to help others. That is truly beautiful. Thank you for sharing your heart with me this afternoon. I do hope to talk again soon as well. Hugs and love xox

    • Sorry it sent before I got to say, thank you for asking. And if you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to ask! Have a beautiful weekend! Hugs and love my friend xox

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  57. Hey lady!
    First of all, thanks for liking my post today. I’m just getting started and it means so much.
    Secondly, AMEN! Everybody has ups and downs in their life (some more than others, for sure, but nobody has a perfectly perfect or a perfectly terrible life), but the Father is constant.
    Third, I have Ulcerative Colitis, too. There’s not many people who understand what it’s like.

    Keep being amazing!

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    • Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoy it! You’re right-UC is a bit of a hidden struggle. It’s nice to know that someone else has walked that road and can relate:) sending big hugs my friend! Looking forward to reading more from you!! Hugs and love xox

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  58. hey, I’m new to the blogging world and have been looking for people to follow. i’ve been exploring your blog and I wanted to let you know that I absolutely love it. Thanks for sharing yourself !

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  60. Hotline Bling—simple yet powerful. Thanks for revisiting dontletmyparentsreadthis.com did you see today’s journey through Manhattan? Please visit again
    Soon!

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  64. Its so true….we learn more in the “valley” than on the “mountaintop”…..church speak for we learn more when we are empty alone and searching than when its all going great!!! Funny how that works! Love ya!

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    • Hi Suzanne! Thank you so much for this reflection. You’re so right! It is funny how that works! It great perspective to have when we’re faced with al sorts of things. Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  65. BBB–Thanks for liking my prayer, again.

    Theologians talk about God the Father as “transcendent” (far off) and Jesus as “immanent” (near by). Judaism and Islam worship a transcendent god, but have no comparable concept of an immanent god. Personally, I find Henry Nouwen’s (Reaching Out) concept of the three movement of the spirit helpful–the movement within us (in ourselves–the Holy Spirit), the movement between us (with others–the example of Jesus), and the movement upward (with God–God the Father)–because I believe that we can have separate relationships with each member of the Trinity.

    Best wishes.

    Stephen

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  66. I just wanted to stop by quickly to say, you’re welcome America for handsome/beautiful Canadians… ;D

    But you’re so right! I’m at a youth conference in Edmonton, Alberta this weekend and I was listening to Heath Adamson speaking yesterday and he talked about when the desciples got caught in a storm on Galilee and Jesus was just like, you know, sleepin in the back of the boat. And they’re all freaking out and Jesus gets up and he says “Peace, be still…” Peace, be still–because sometimes peace comes before the storm is over. And you know he went on to talk about how that storm took them off course from Bethsaida to the Gadarenes, they met the demoniac and Jesus saved him and swnt him home and all the people were afraid of Jesus… and instead of letting the guy come with him Jesus sent him home. The next time Jesus comes to that region? The whole town comes out to meet him with their sick. Later on down the road when the Romans are persecuting the new bride, every other town is refusing the refugees–but not Gadera. All because of a storm. Boom. Put that in your pipe and smoke it 🙂 Jesus is so good!

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    • Hey Carson! Haha yes! This is such a great testimony to that fact-there CAN be peace amidst the storm. It’s also a great showing of how to trust Jesus, which I definitely have to work on. There’s nothing that He will give us that He won’t get us through. Such a comforting thought. Hope you’re having a great time at the youth conference! I’ll definitely kee y’all in my prayers! Yay Canada! Hugs and love xox

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    • Hi friend! Oh my gosh thank you so much! That’s so kind of you to say ☺️ gosh, tips-hmm I really don’t know! I guess just write about things you’re passionate about, and then use hashtags! Hehe hope that helps! Sending hugs and love xox

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    • Hey Angelique! Aw thanks! I’m so glad it resonated with you. You’re right-it’s great to pause and think for a minute every now and then. Thanks for reading!! Hugs and love xox

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  75. Hello beautybeyondbones,

    You recently started liking my posts. I have a few questions for you about your blog. Can I contact you through email?

    Thanks,
    Cody Casalini

    Reply

  76. Your story was inspiring! I read only a few comments but I did stumble upon the one with your 3 miracles! I’m glad to hear that you’ve been able to overcome so much. I also have some health problems which have gotten worse in the last while leading me to create a blog to connect with people like me! I have Crohn’s and it’s gotten worse I’m awaiting another procedure! I can’t wait to check out more of your blog!

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  82. I echo your sentiments, our travails and burdens are the coursework tendered by the Most Omnipotent Instructor, it only behooves us to study earnestly.

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  83. I love this post! Drake? Not so much…well…you know…I love him with “the love of the Lord”…err…anyway. I’m going to share this on my Facebook ministry page. (I would reblog it but I only have like 20 followers. I have a few more than that on Facebook. lol)

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  85. Your blog is so good! It’s just some of the best encouraging messages, but also so real and relatable and I just really appreciate that! Really hope I can write like this one day:)

    Reply

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