I’m pleased to finally share this gorgeous musical arrangement my sibling made for my song about grappling with fears of the future.

Song background

(The below is copied from the post of my live video for this song.)

I wrote this song while expecting my youngest child and thinking a lot about the uncertainties of the future.

Now, I sing it to her often, because it’s her most-requested lullaby. (She calls it the “I Don’t Know Song,” and my original name for it is “[her name]’s Song.”)

Even though the words are directed to her, the song is really for me: it helps me when I’m feeling worried about what the future may hold—especially in these fast-changing times.

There’s a quote from Thich Nhat Hanh that I love and refer to often:

“The best way of taking care of the future is to take good care of the present.”

I believe that. The best thing I can do for my kids’ future (and my own) is to take the best care of us that I can in the present.

That does include planning and proactivity—but not excessive worry, rigid insistence, or blind denial about ways the future might go.

I want to hold my children and my other blessings in life with an open hand of grateful wonder, like one would hold a baby bird—not clutching them tight in my fist, hurting them (and me) because I’m afraid to lose them.

I want to let the future be what it will be, while lovingly and carefully tending to what is in the present.

As an “exvangelical” mom trying to parent thoughtfully and build a secular spirituality, I think this is the very best path I can take.

“I Don’t Know What Your World Will Be Like” lyrics

I don’t know what your world will be like, my dear;
I don’t know what life has in store.
But I know that my path led to you, my dear,
and I’ll help you get started on yours.

Tomorrow will be what it will be,
so I let it go.
But for as long as you’re here with me,
I’ll hold you close.

I know life’s never just we want, my dear,
and I know I’m not perfect by far.
But I’ll try to be just what you need, my dear,
and take care of your little heart.

Tomorrow will be what it will be,
so I let it go.
But for as long as you’re here with me,
I’ll hold you close.

Anna’s River

🎵I Don’t Know What Your World Will Be Like