WORDS & MUSIC
Dennis Jernigan

January 14, 2019

For Theodore Fox Songer

For several months before he was born, my eleventh grandchild - a boy - I had already begun calling Theodore or Theo. His parents had chosen to not share the name with anyone until he was born. I just didn't know I was already calling him by his real name! Finally, they came to me and asked me to stop saying the name - because that was his real name! He was born on January 14, 2019 at 11:58 AM. Melinda had spent the whole night helping our daughter and son-in-law in the delivery room while I laid down in the car. Neither of us got any real rest. After saying our goodbyes, Melinda and I headed home on a 2-hour drive. To help keep myself awake, I prayed for Theo and asked the Lord to bless him. As I thought about my own health crisis - damaged vocal cords and a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease - I wanted to bless Theo with wisdom in case I wasn't around when he was growing up. The words 'always be grateful' kept flowing through my mind. By the time we arrived back home I had received most of the song. I recorded it the next day as best I could, and my daughter played it for him later that evening. This is a song of importance to me and my family - whether they realize it or not - because far too often we allow the enemy to get our focus on what we don't have rather than the things we do have. One perspective leads to death while the other leads to life. By the way, Theodore means "God's gift . I am a blessed man.

Dennis Jernigan

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:20 NLT

Verse

Some people choose to live like they're dying 

Some people choose to enjoy their life 

Some choosing joy in spite of the things they don't have 

Some live controlled by their circumstances 

Some see a wall some see second chances 

Don't waste your time controlled by the things you don't have 

Chorus

You can choose joy in the midst of the sad

Even in sorrow you can choose to be glad 

Always be grateful 

Always be grateful for all that you have 

Go through the storm while enjoying the rain 

Gaze at the healing 

Just glance at the pain 

Always be grateful 

Always be grateful for all that you have

Verse

Some people choose to only see sorrow 

To live in the past or live in tomorrow 

Live in the present in spite of the things you don't have 

Some people choose to see only darkness 

Live in the pain of bitter and heartless 

Don't waste your time controlled by the things you don't have 

Chorus

You can choose joy in the midst of the sad

Even in sorrow you can choose to be glad 

Always be grateful 

Always be grateful for all that you have 

Go through the storm while enjoying the rain 

Gaze at the healing 

Just glance at the pain 

Always be grateful 

Always be grateful for all that you have

Chorus

You can choose hope in the midst of despair 

Even when lonely you can meet with God there 

Always be grateful 

Always be grateful for all that you have 

Go through the fire 

Come out shining like gold 

God loves you with love that will never let go 

Always be grateful 

Always be grateful for all that you have

Chorus

You can choose joy in the midst of the sad

Even in sorrow you can choose to be glad 

Always be grateful 

Always be grateful for all that you have 

Go through the storm while enjoying the rain 

Gaze at the healing 

Just glance at the pain 

Always be grateful 

Always be grateful for all that you have 

©January, 14, 2019 Shepherd's Heart Music, Inc./Dennis Jernigan
7804 W. Fern Mountain Rd. Muskogee, OK 74401
1-800-877-0406 www.dennisjernigan.com
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