A Glimpse of Starlight

Words and music are two of the most important, powerful things in my life. So when I want to encourage someone or show them how much they mean to me, I naturally resort to using them. Often I’ll pen something of my own, but I also love to share others’ words that have blessed me, hoping they’ll do the same for someone else. And when the words are set to music, I’m even more excited to pass them along. So here are five songs whose lyrics are perfect for encouraging a friend or reminding you of the beauty of friendship.

Also, in case you’re not a huge fan of the style of music, I’ve provided a link to just the lyrics below each video. Ultimately, it’s the lyrics that I love best about all of these (though the tunes and singers are wonderful as well).

Always There ~ Celtic Thunder

A beautiful testament to those friends that are, well, always there. Always with the right words, or maybe no words, just a hug, which is sometimes what we need most. It almost reminds me of the Friend of Friends, who truly is always there.

You are there when I most need you
You are there so constantly
You come shining through, you always do
You are always there for me

Lyrics.

You Don’t Know How Beautiful You Are ~ Jon Foreman

To the friends that see me and treat me as beautiful when I feel so broken and ugly. To the friends who feel that way themselves but who are just so beautiful, and I ache for them to know it. In praise of the truest Friend Who can take our scars and make something beautiful out of them.

Come surrender your hidden scars
Leave your weapons where they are
You’ve been hiding, but I know your wounded heart
And you don’t know how beautiful you are

Lyrics.

Feel Free ~ Carolyn Arends

A singer at a concert I attended recently talked about how we hide from others, how we bury our sin, how we put on masks before our Christian brothers and sisters, and how destructive it all is. This song is an invitation to open up, to feel free, because true friendship—especially friendship rooted in Christ—is a place of vulnerability and forgiveness and love.

Feel free to laugh or cry
Feel free to wonder why
Feel free to dance or grieve
You are safe when you’re with me, feel free

Lyrics.

True Friend ~ Twila Paris

We talk a lot about true love and what does that even look like, but I often think about true friendship and what that looks like. Twila Paris’ beautiful, insightful song helps answer this question and makes me grateful for all the true friends I’ve been blessed to find.

You are a true friend pointing me to Him
Lifting my downcast eyes
Turning my wondering gaze to the sky
Proving your love again, you are a true friend
You are a true friend

Lyrics.

Many Roads ~ Andrew Peterson

I have so many far-away friends, and some of them I have never even met face-to-face. It’s so painful to not be there for them, not be able to hug them, laugh with them, experience day-to-day life with them. But this song reminds me that God has a plan, and that the long, winding roads we must take to be together have a beautiful purpose.

Well, could it be that the many roads you took to get here
Were just for me to tell this story and for you to hear this song?
And your many hopes, and your many fears
Were meant to bring you here all along

Lyrics.

What are some songs that remind you of friendship or that you love to share with friends? Have you heard any of these before?