Let It Be by the Beatles

Reflection

I’ve recently stumbled upon some wisdom in an unlikely place: my two year old son’s surprisingly sophisticated taste in music. While I’ve heard and appreciated all of their classics, the music of the Beatles never really spoke to me, I didn’t get it. But I catch Everett humming his little tune as he’s falling asleep or gazing out the window of the car, and I’ve developed an unexpected fondness for them.

Perhaps it’s the way the years have worried away neural pathways leading toward anxiety and self doubt that can spin me out for days. Maybe that the collective turbulence of this world, this nation, even this family disturbs my sleep at night. Or perhaps it’s just the two enormous, smiling blue eyes locking on mine - the naïve voice of my little boy, singing a message of faith in all that is good - that allows me to really hear this song for the first time.

And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me
Shinin' until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And isn’t it just like Jesus to remind me of the simplicity of faith through a child? He spoke of receiving his kingdom the way little children do. While there is surely much more to it than this, I interpret this to mean receiving Jesus with fresh eyes, inexperience, open-heartedness.

I must confess that my faith has been far from childlike for quite some time. When I find myself in times of trouble, I’m far more likely to feel prickling frustration toward God than to reach up to him with open hands and a sense of expectation for him to make it all right in the end. But there is something so compelling in Everett’s sincerity that reminds me of what it’s like to be a child. That feeling of falling asleep in the back of the car while Dad is driving and Mom is chatting to keep him company, and my eyelids are heavy. And I have no question at all that I am safe. That I can fall peacefully to sleep and leave the important stuff to those older, wiser, and more capable than me.

I really want to adopt that kind of posture before God again. To be able to come to rest in his presence. To set it all down, recusing myself as judge of what is best for my life and the world. To trust that there will be a resolution, now or someday. To let it be. Like a child, I want to raise my hands to God in expectation, wondering how he will move and work in our world next. And I want to learn to let all the rest simply be.

To catch the sweet soundtrack of my life these days, listen to this little clip.

Links

Apple Music

Spotify

Lyrics

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be, be

And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me
Shinin' until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be