"22. Love--Matthew Ward"
The title may have been cliché, but the opening notes were pregnant with portent. Something all but commanded her to listen. Time itself seemed to stand still as she listened for the words.
I walked in her room and saw her there / She knelt so quietly, I knew she was in prayer / There was a presence in the room I'd felt before / But I was frightened, so I turned and closed her door / Love was calling out my name / Love was calling out my name
Looking back on that day explained to me / My mama's heart was crying out for my release / It took years for me to be finally free / Her prayers were answered, though she never lived to see / Love was calling out my name / Love was calling out my name
Love has the power / To make the weakest man tower / To make the strongest man cower / God has no end to His power / Love is a fire / Whose flames reach higher and higher / Love burns with endless desire / To see us whole
I understand my mother's heart for me / Wanting Jesus to make me all that I could be / Now the situation's changed; I'm on my knees / Praying for my baby's eyes to someday see / That love is calling out her name / Love is calling out her name...
Spellbound from beginning to end. The shock of having seemingly been spoken to directly from beyond the grave was all that kept her from crying. Not only was he praying over and for her, but he could very well have been telling on himself in the process. How much of this song was fact masquerading as fiction? Ninety-plus percent? She supposed it was possible, even likely, that he had chosen this song with his daughter in mind, but that "never lived to see" part really shook her up. Was it strictly coincidence, or had God led him to make that selection, knowing those words would eventually reach her ears, post-mortem?