Let me start at the end and work to the beginning.

My wife's grandmother was diagnosed with cancer and it is one that isn't really curable. This is a woman has spent her life in the service of others nearly every waking moment. If anyone deserved a life without this meanacing disease, it is her. We have watched her struggle through the pain and yet still find it within herself to serve others and especially her family. She is such a brave woman and such a great example. Shortly after I wrote that verse, the word 'cancer' took on a new meaning for me. I thought about how each of us struggles with sin or addictions in one form or another. In many ways these addictions and sins can be cancerous to our souls. Suddenly it became clear that these words apply to everyone.

As we try to remove the cancer within each of us and become more like Christ, we will see the strength given from him rise within us. We are each given strength to overcome any buffeting that comes from Satan. What a gift we have been given in the Atonement.

A family that is good friends with our family had an event that tipped their reality on its end. Their little one year old was hit by a car and died. My friend's experience touched me. Profoundly. Since I had heard the news, the image of their little boy, as an angel has often been near the surface of my thoughts. Also since that time I have been trying to form their experience into words that could be put to music. I watched their suffering and their pleas to God asking 'why.' As you can imagine, nearly any answer would seem empty and yet this little family continued to press forward, faithful in the gospel. The only explanation that I could see was their faith and a strength that came from within, planted by a loving Maker so that when it was needed, it would spring as a majestic oak from deep within the soul to diffuse the mighty winds of Satan's urgency to bring us to our knees and drag us down with him. I am still touched by their story and dedicate it to their son : Gabriel A. Petit 2006 - 2007. May God grant all of us the strength required to pass through our trials however great they become. Please enjoy the song and share it with anyone you know that is making their way through their trials.

The song can be found HERE.