The title for this arrangement comes from the chorus or the hook of the tune entitled “Softly and Tenderly.” It’s a hymn our congregation has sung for decades although I didn’t grow up singing it in my home church.

As I noodled around with the tune, I couldn’t help but take the words to heart—Jesus is calling.  In Thompson’s words, He’s calling the sinners but I believe substituting the word “broken” is what helped me to connect with the lyrics.

An accident in 2019 that stings of permanent loss unravelled my soul and broke my heart. My expectations for what I thought life would be were dashed.

 "Expectations are resentments under construction.” 

David Kessler, author of Finding Meaning.

Even after what many would call a miraculous recovery, my resentment still kicks in which leads to fear, doubt, tears…all the things humans do when hopes are crushed.

As my good friend Joe puts it, “if you’re gonna live you’re gonna lose.”

Tending to this arrangement reminded me that even when my faith wimps out, God never leaves. He’s a mighty God who can handle my lament, anger and frustrations. He’s strong enough to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart and hold them close.

My “return home” still comes with reservations and at times my humanness makes me wander off. When I knock, a door swings open and I "come home” to the arms of a loving God.

It’s my hope that you’re reminded of the same things when you play the piece.

To shorten the arrangement, skip the repeat. And, I couldn’t decide if I liked the last “come-home chimes” in the final measure so it’s your choice to play the last notes in the treble clef or end with the chords in the bass clef.

The cover art is courtesy of my mother, award-winning artist and photographer, Joanne Alberda.