“One Day at a Time”
Tom Barnard
y guess is that you have heard at least one rendition of a song with the title, “One Day at a
M Time.” There have been many songs with that title, in a wide range of genre. If you doubt
this, check with Google.com. Just type the title in the search box, and watch the Internet go
to work. The number of references to songs with this title is impressive.
Composers and performers of songs with the title cover the musical universe. A partial search turned
up the following names: Jeremy Camp, John and Nancy Barry, the Jonas Brothers, Elton John, 2Pac,
Marijohn Wilkins and Kris Kristofferson, Eminem, and the Thrashers Brothers. Take your pick.
The lyrics of some of the songs are upbeat and positive; others are downbeat and negative. Here are the
words of the first verse and refrain of the song, “One Day at a Time,” attributed to John Lennon:
You are my weakness
You are my friend
Nothing I have in the world
Makes better sense
‘Cause I’m the fish and you’re the sea
When we’re together
Or when we’re apart
There’s never a space in-between
The beat of our hearts
‘Cause I’m the apple and you’re the tree.
One day at a time
Is all we do
One day at a time
Is good for you, you, you.
“I’m the fish and you’re the sea?…I’m the apple and you’re the tree?” Interesting. But personally I
prefer the refrain of the Wilkins-Kristofferson song, recorded by Lena Martell in 1979:
One day at a time, sweet Jesus
That’s all I’m asking from you
Just give me the strength to do every day what I have to do
Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus
Tomorrow may never be mine
Lord, help me today
Show me the way
One day at a time.
Ask a person who has watched a loved one die slowly from cancer. Talk to counselors who help clients
face unspeakable tragedies. Search the faces of those who have lost a spouse or parent in military
combat. Listen to those who lost family or friends in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. The only
way to survive is “one day at a time.” Read these words of assurance from Psalm 46:1-3:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way and mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
This is Tuesday Mornings for April 24, 2007. To subscribe to this weekly series, send your name and email address to
Dr. Tom Barnard at barnard22@cox.net. Back copies may be accessed at the following website: www.snu.edu.