Be Kind To Yourself, Andrew Peterson (cover)

You'll Find Your Way, Andrew Peterson (cover)

The Wound Is Where The Light Gets In, Jason Gray (cover)

Pieces, Amanda Cook (cover)

Original song by Steffany Gretzinger. For Shawnie.

Cecie's Lullaby, Steffany Gretzinger (cover)

For my sister, Olivia. ❤ Never let any one(ness) come between you and the love of your Abba.

"Abba's Child". 

---

My friend, I see your efforts
And all the work you do
To please the God you love
Who gave His life for you

But are you certain of the reasons?
Are you sure that's why you strive?
Because I can see "unworthy"
Written in your eyes

And I know you know He loves you
Unconditionally
But I have a feeling He's not the only
One you're tryna please

So let go of that standard
It isn't yours to bear
Perfection walked up Calvary's hill
And crucified it there
And I know there is so much to do
But the only thing required of you
Is that you rest in the great love God has for you.

Yes, I know our faith is proven
By all our good deeds.
But does your flesh truly know
That Christ is all you need?

Because every time you kick yourself
Whenever you should fall
You deny the grace of Jesus Christ
Who said, "I did it all."

And I know you know repentance
Is eternal life's key
But unless you can forgive yourself
Are you ever really free?

You are enough in His eyes
Don't listen to all the lies
That say you are what you do.

His mercy covers it all—
whether you rise or you fall—
Your Father just wants you for you
Oh yes it's true:
Abba's love belongs to you.

(Abba, Abba, Father I belong to you;
I am your child)

---

© Jasmine Ruigrok, 2019, all rights reserved.
Lyrics, Vocals & Acoustic Guitar: Jasmine Ruigrok

Abba's Child

"Perfect Sunday". 

---

"What is Christianity?" I asked someone at church.
"Is it putting on a smiling face and not admitting when it hurts?"
Well he shook his head and smiled, "Oh no, that isn't true—
Faith is about what Jesus did, not anything that we can do."

But his christian-ese it made no sense 'cause all that I could see 
Were hurting people smiling fake and pretending they could be

Loving without vulnerability
Truthful without honesty
And real without revealing their pain
But that's not authenticity
And there is no integrity
In trying to save face
'Cause it leaves no room for grace
So until we see His Spirit reign 
It's another
Perfect Sunday.

'Love God, love each other', we preach it to ourselves
But Scriptures are just empty words if our heart's left on the shelf.
Well, you have scars and I do too; burdens meant to share,
But how am I to do that if I don't know your pain is there?

Oh the love of God will make no sense if we don't let people see
The truth of who we really are, instead we try to be:

Playing church and singing songs,
Talking rights and hiding wrongs;
All the while beneath our skin
A voice is calling, "Let Me in,"
The love of Jesus inside of you
It knew pain and passion too.
Unless we let His truth be true,
You know what we will do—

We'll keep being:

Loving without vulnerability
Truthful without honesty
And real without revealing their pain
But that's not authenticity
And there is no integrity
In trying to save face
'Cause it leaves no room for grace
So until we see His Spirit reign
Until we give up being vain
Until we share each other's pain
It's another
Perfect Sunday.

Perfect Sunday again;
Oh I'm tired of perfect Sundays.
I just wanna be real with you...
No more perfect Sundays.

---

© Jasmine Ruigrok, 2019, all rights reserved.
Lyrics, Vocals & Keys: Jasmine Ruigrok

Perfect Sunday

I think every artist is entitled to at least one sappy song. Rarely is the reality of our heart's vulnerable longing for a meaningful relationship expressed. Hopefully this gives you some language for your hope. 

"Waiting to be Found". 

---

I am waiting, wondering if you'll ever come
To find me
I've been hoping someday you will be along
To ask me

To be yours and you'll be mine
So glad we waited all this time

And oh—
How will it be to have someone to love
And to be their one and only?
Will that day every come around?
Until then I'm waiting
Waiting to be found

I am trusting even on the darkest days
You're out there
And I'm praying on the days you feel the same
You'll keep searching

I won't give up if you won't too
Someday we'll see our dreams come true

And though it isn't certain
And there's no guarantee
I can't help believing you are there
Waiting for me

---

© Jasmine Ruigrok, 2019, all rights reserved.
Lyrics, Vocals & Acoustic: Jasmine Ruigrok

Waiting To Be Found

Lyrics:

See the sun shining up in the sky
Did you ever stop to wonder why?
Truth is I put it there just for you.

The taste of ice-cream, a warm sunny day
A child smiling and asking to play
A thousand gifts a day and they're all for you

All good things come from heaven above
A sign to you of My unfailing love

It doesn't matter where you've been
Or anything that you've done
I loved you so much I gave you My only Son
To die for you and save you
So that you'd be with Me
And everything I do, you will see
Is all for you, yeah it's all for you.

Laughter 'round a fire, a cool Autumn night
The beauty of a sunset or just flying a kite
Blessings all around you prove My love for you

Though rainy days and sadness comes
My love stays the same
I planned your life from the start
And I called you by your name

You may not know Me, but I know you
And if you knew Me, you would love Me too
Declaring Jesus is all you have to do

I will come into your heart and live
And all your sin I will freely forgive
And you will show the world what I did for you.

---

© Jasmine Ruigrok, 2019, all rights reserved.
Vocals & Acoustic Guitar: Jasmine Ruigrok
Electric Guitar: Jacob Ruigrok
Bass: Olivia Ruigrok
Percussion: Thomas Ruigrok
Happy Clapping: Isaac Ruigrok, Thomas Ruigrok, Lily Ruigrok, Caleb Ruigrok
Recorded & Produced by: Jacob Ruigrok

All For You

I wrote this song in 2017 during a tough season, where I sat down to write a song, thinking: "what if I just told God everything I'm feeling right now?" Often I forget that I can be gut-level honest with God about how I feel, but when I am, He reminds me His Presence is still with me even if I don't get the answers I'm looking for. Though I wrote it a few years ago, some of these thoughts are still recurring. If you've ever felt stuck in the waiting, I hope this song encourages you to hold onto the assurance that God is with you, and is big enough to hold your feelings. 

"Forever". 

---

What if I told You everything
What if I told You all I've been feeling
How I still trust You, want to serve You
But I feel stuck, like I'm not moving.

What if I said, "I'm not okay";
And I let you see me cry?
How I'm tired of being the "good girl";
Watching my life pass me by.

It feels like I'm always waiting
For Your plans to be made clear
For why You put me on this earth
And what I'm meant to do here

But You say:
Hold on, look up, I'm on the way
It's alright, I understand why you feel this way
And I know it's been forever
Since I told your heart to stay
But I'm working on your wings
So you can fly away

At times each day seems like the last
Doing all I know to do
Will it amount to anything?
And will my dreams ever come true?

I've always hoped for so much more
Than the life that I'm living
Is this a test of faithfulness
Before I see Your blessing?

I will choose to glory,
Be patient in the wait
Your promise holds my hope
Your love is never late

---

© Jasmine Ruigrok, 2019, all rights reserved.
Lyrics, Vocals & Keys: Jasmine Ruigrok

Forever

Story in her hands, music in her soul, eternity in her heart.