Skin

A good friend of mine in ministry is facing a tough time in his congregation right now. I talked to him today and could sense the cloud hanging over him and the church. As denominations make stands on public issues, some congregations and pastors struggle to decide how or if they fit in with those stands. That turmoil can lead to fighting and accusations and name-calling and conflict and a whole bunch of other struggles. My friend is in the middle of just one such conflict now.

The song Skin, by the Vigilates of Love, is one of those songs I put on repeat now and then when I need to hear the truth of the words: sometimes you can't please everyone / sometimes you can't please anyone at all / you sew your heart onto your sleeve / and wait for the ax to fall

(I'm not sure how to share the audio of this song with you, so here are the lyrics...)

Skin

now i'd seen him despondent
a few times as of late
sometimes the answer that love gives
is the hardest one to take
i know he was prone to paint
the voice of his own fear
so vincent he picked up the blade
and he put it to his ear

look at yourself in the mirror
you're all rumpled red stubbled and gaunt
you walk a dead end path in a dry corn field
and now this morose response
your princess she don't wanna see you
no your princess she don't wanna hear
so vincent he picked up the blade
and he put it to his ear

now look if you're gonna come around here
and say those sort of things
you gotta take a few on the chin
you talking about love and all that stuff
you better bring your thickest skin
sometimes you can't please everyone
sometimes you can't please anyone at all
you sew your heart onto your sleeve
and wait for the ax to fall

you there with the paint box
you there with paper and pen
me i got this blunt instrument
i'm gonna play on 'til the end
and you know you come with empty hands
or you don't come at all
you deal your best hand out in the marketplace
and let the chips fall

the package it comes wrapped up
there is a lesson here
vincent he picked up the blade
and he put it to his ear

now look if you're gonna come around here
and say those sort of things
you gotta take a few on the chin
yeah you're talking about sin and redemption
well you better wear your thickest skin
sometimes you can't please everyone
sometimes you can't please anyone at all
sew your heart onto your sleeve
and wait for the ax to fall