1. COURAGE FROM WITHIN

I think I'm afraid to grow up God
For I see how much pain there can be.
I want to stay young and protected.
I'm scared that I'll lose what is me.

I think I have courage to trust, God
That I'll do just fine with what's new
For love stays inside me forever
So as I grow, my faith grows in You.

2. BREAKING DOWN MY WALLS

Let me delight in the beauty
Of this glorious world that I see
Let me be calmed by the sunlight
That pours golden warmth down on me
Let me take joy in the breezes
That blow off the ocean so near
Let me breathe deep and be
To a world where there's nothing to fear.

3. SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

When no one understands me,
When no one wants to hear,
When no one thinks I should be sad
Or be in pain or fear.
When no one sympathizes,
When no one cares a lot,
About the worries I have inside
About the things I'm not.
When no one has ten minutes time,
When no one can advise,
When no one helps me sort out my life
When my whole life is lies,
Then out of desperation
I look inside and pray.
I trust that You are listening
To all I need to say.

4. OVERCOMING MY FEARS

When I'm so encased by life's demands
I wake up in a tomb
When every moment is a trap
And every word a wound

When I can't listen to my songs
For fear I'll come undone
When my heart is frozen, hard as ice
And my soul has cut and run

Please let me find just one small crack
In this eternal night
Andwide this house of fear
To let in Love's pure light.

5. TAKE JOY IN THE MOMENT

How will I embarrass myself today?
I ask, head down, not looking around
What tortuous price will I have to pay?
To hide my shame, but there's one to blame.
I know why I dread each day at this school
I'm no one at all, as I walk down the hall.
I'm such a dumb jerk, I'll never be cool
Cardinal rule number one, never trust any one.

Will I get a chance when I leave this place?
Start now to be what is locked inside me.
Can I take a risk and not feel the disgrace?
I know I am strong. Taking risks is seldom wrong.
Let me live a life based on love not on fear.
I need to be hounded, completely surrounded.
With belief in myself for the answer is clear.
I know I am right. I can win this fight.

6. BEING HONEST ABOUT MYSELF

May I find a way to touch
Emotions that I fear so much,
Feel them, face them as they are
Instead of running fast and far
Knowing I'll survive the pain
When I break the heavy chain
Of pretense crafted link by link
So I would never have to think
About those feelings deep inside
About the times I've lied and lied
To keep the disappointment still
To silence screams of anger shrill
May I find through honesty
Belief in God that works for me
Before my heart is broken wide
And I can't find myself inside.

7. MAKING HARD DECISIONS

I pray that I can recognize
All the guilt, all the shame
All the anger and the blame
That's been inside me for so long
That's kept me from becoming strong

I pray that I can stop denying
These ways of thinking, ways of feeling
Ways of hurting, and start healing
By throwing all these thoughts away
To clean my house so love will stay.

8. BOYS

I am beautiful. Look at me.
I am intelligent. Listen carefully.
I am faithful. Tell me all.
I am steadfast. Dare to fall.
I am giving. Ask away.
I am loving. Dare to stay.
I am funny. Share my smile.
I am patient. Stay awhile.
I am courageous. Trust my heart.
I am gentle. Come apart.
I am playful. Try my game.
I am waiting. Call my name.

9. I AM LOVE - I AM ME

No matter how painful this time is
No matter how frightened I feel
Let me find time to speak with You
Let me listen and Your words will heal.

No matter how my friends have hurt me
No matter where courage has gone
Let me pray that You'll be with me
Let memy heart to Your song.

No matter how often I'm hopeless
No matter how angry I feel
Let me start each day over in loving
Let me find in my Soul what is real.

10. WHEN I LOSE SOMEONE

Let me put my whole weight down.
I must have faith in You.
My inner strength is gone from me
Those burdens carried so effortlessly
Now break my heart in two.

Let me put my whole weight down.
No longer brave am I.
I cannot smile through all my tears
Or even soothe another's fears
All I can do is cry.

Let me put my whole weight down.
For how else can I bear
The loss that's bleeding out my life
So every breath hurts like a knife
My grief spreads everywhere.

Let me put my whole weight down
Believing You will stay
Inadequate, helpless, and weak
I cannot hear, or see or speak
All I can do is pray.