Lead Me

We were driving home the other day, listening to our favorite radio station, K-Love, which is such a positive, uplifting Christian station. Sometimes, they play a lot of the same songs. But I heard one the other day for the first time, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

As women, we’re called to let our husbands be the spiritual leaders of our homes. To trust their judgment, their commitment to us, their faith in our Lord. It’s not always easy for us to trust them, even though we love them. Because one of woman’s core fears is that *no one* not her husband, not even God, will come through for her, so she has to be in charge, so it will be done “right”. On a cultural level, gone are the days of Ozzy, Mr. Brady, and Dick Van Dyke; strong fathers who are central characters on t.v. Given the prevalence of beer-chugging, slovenly, negligent fathers who’d rather watch a ball game or gawk at women then spend time with their families, it makes one even wax nostalgic for Tony of “Who’s the Boss?” fame or Danny Tanner from “Full House”.

What I’m saying is, the images of men we see on t.v. today are not ones that inspire anything even close to confidence. But yet, in our hearts we know (as women) that on some level, we crave and appreciate the leadership of our husbands. To know that we don’t always have to be the strong one, we don’t always have to have everything figured out. That when we’re too stressed or weak to pray for ourselves, he’s got our back. That he loves our soul, not just our body. As women, we need to know that.

The thing is, the world is a scary place for families. Even the best of men, the most dedicated and loving, can get bogged down in the distractions of the world. What I love about this song is that it is a cry, a plea from a wife and children for their father to love them. To lead them. It’s called “Lead Me” by Sanctus Real.

What’s even more beautiful than the plea from his family for leadership, is the father’s own plea at the end. He turns to God, the real source of all of our strength, and asks God to lead him, so that he can lead the ones he loves. It’s a beautiful model of the kind of true humility it takes for us to stand before God, admit we have nothing, and ask him to help us, so we can become what we are called to be.

I love that this song was written based on the experience of the lead singer and his family. You can watch this beautiful video of them talking about what they went through and how God strengthened them!

Many of us out here on the Catholic/Christian blog-o-sphere are the lucky ones. For the most part, we’re not raising families alone. Most of us have loving and supportive husbands who do strive to imitate Christ in their role as husband and father. I think this song serves as a reminder for us, to recognize and appreciate that leadership, and to pray for those families who are struggling more than we are. It also reminds us that even strong marriages have problems, and as long as we turn to Christ in all our problems, they can be surmounted.  “Lead Me” is also a great reminder for our wonderful men, that every day is a chance to lead your family even closer to Christ!

“I’ll show them, I’m willing to fight, and give them the best of my life…”