Step-By-Step
By Sheila Thornton Warfield
Earlier this week I found myself in a state of limbo. I wasn’t happy or unhappy with life – just limbo. I was blue and felt as though I was in a funk of sorts. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that my hair was a ‘hot mess” and I had difficulty fixing it, and this was really undermining how I felt this particular day. Perhaps it was the mountain of ‘have to’s’, ‘should do’s’, ‘wish I could do’, ‘other people needs’, ‘work to dos’, etc. Regardless, I continued to go about my day, doing what was necessary but under the dark cloud of a so-so existence.
After briefly speaking with my sister, I started gathering my things to get ready for an appointment and I noticed my iPhone battery was low. So, I attempted to close all of the apps to reserve battery life. I closed all apps yet I could still hear music coming out of my headphones. I went back to close out the music app and realized it wasn’t opened yet music was playing. I got instantly irritated and then opened the iTunes app to see the song playing and decided to listen to it.
It was song by Whitney Houston and written by Annie Lennox titled, “Step by Step”. As I listened to the lyrics, I was overwhelmed and literally fell to my knees out of reverence and awe for God, my God! It was a ‘miracle moment’ and I allowed my entire being to be filled with it. The lyrics penetrated every fiber of my being. I instantly felt enveloped in God’s Love, Patience, and Compassion and His Presence.
Step By Step Lyrics
“Well there’s a bridge and there’s a river that I still must cross
As I’m going on my journey
Oh, I might be lost
And there’s a road I have to follow, a place I have to go
Well no-one told me just how to get there
But when I get there I’ll know
‘Cause I’m taking it
Step by step, bit by bit,
Stone by stone, brick by brick
Step-by-step, day-by-day, mile-by-mile
And this old road is rough and ruined
So many dangers along the way
So many burdens might fall upon me
So many troubles that I have to face
Oh, but I won’t let my spirit fail me
Oh, I won’t let my spirit go
Until I get to my destination
I’m gonna take it slowly ‘cause I’m making it mine
Step-by-step, bit-by-bit,
Stone-by-stone, brick-by-brick
Step-by-step, day-by-day, mile-by-mile
Say it, baby, don’t give up
You got to hold on to what you got,
Oh, baby don’t give up
You got to keep moving on don’t stop
I know you’re hurting, and I know you’re blue,
I know you’re hurting but don’t let the bad things get to you
Step-by-step, bit-by-bit
Stone-by-stone, brick-by-brick
Step-by-step, day-by-day, mile-by-mile…”
Needless to say, as I continued to listen to this beautiful song, my heart was filled with hope and optimism. It reminded me that all I have to do is to take things step by step, bit by bit. I immediately felt lighter, freer, at peace.
“I’m here now, God”, were my words as I continued to let myself lean deeply into the moment. God is always here. We simply need to learn how to pay attention so that we can hear, see, or feel His presence and message.
Words can never express the power of the moments I experienced this day. It’s a miracle that I will remember all the days of my life. I’m incredible grateful of God’s never ending Love and Acceptance. I am transformed, and as I enter each day, I hope to always remember the message from the iTunes song I played by accident ---to take things step-by-step, bit-by-bit, stone-by-stone, and day-by-day.
So, let’s all remember to simply take life, Step-by-Step.