A few days ago someone sent me the pop ballad single Hold Me for a While by the Swedish band Rednex sung by the female lead singer Whippy (Mia Löfgren).
Some commentators described Hold Me for a While as being intoxicating, fascinating, exhilarating, powerful, unforgettable, and not in the least sensuous. The woman is practically urging her loved one to hold her for a while. She knows that this relationship is temporary, “won’t last forever”, in fact, just for a night. She knows that when daybreak comes her loved one will disappear.
This transitory love makes her suffer. The woman notices the “sparkle” in her lover’s eyes and thinks they are tears. And when at sunrise he departs she is alone. How sad that their shared love endures only for “short moments of time”. While it sounds beautiful that they are “in each other’s arms”, the reality is that within a short space of time, there “are miles apart”. Gone are the expressions of their love! Hence, upon realizing that her lover will desert her forever, the woman cuddles up to his embrace, and in great anguish, implores him: “Hold, hold me for a while”.
As you may rightly surmise, this relationship makes for continuous suffering. It has no future at all. The more I listened to this song the more I felt frustrated, nervous, sad, and broken-hearted. I wonder why this single made such a huge impact in Austria, Australia, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, United States, Japan, Spain, Russia, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland and New Zealand. With the exception of Switzerland, where the song ranked in second place, in the aforementioned countries Hold Me for a While reached number one. It seems that this single unravelled the great anguish we all have when we cannot realize our dream of loving and being loved. Unfortunately, when that occurs it is tantamount to an existential tragedy indeed.
However this is part one of the human story. For those who believe, and who have or have had their disappointments in their love life, there is Someone who can love us completely. Yes, there is Someone who knows our thoughts, feels our emotions and longs that we let Him love us totally. And, this special Someone, with a capital S, is none other than God. His promises of love fill us with great joy, hope and security.
Thus, if I feel abandoned I know that He is next to me through his Spirit. “And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth... I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18). If I feel alone and insecure God is my constant help at any time. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). And, when those closest to my heart give me their back, God will keep accompanying, protecting and cater for my needs. “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up” (Psalm 27:10).
Whenever I desire His presence God will never let me fend by myself. “I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matt 28:20). There are times when I feel crushed. Yet, my Lord tells me that He heals my wounds. “He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). Furthermore, my God is extremely faithful and I can completely depend on Him even if the mountains collapse. “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you” (Isa 54:10).
The last phrase is really awesome! My God, My Lord, has compassion for me! He does not embrace me for a while but for eternity! If you believe or want to try his hug, go to YouTube and when you feel lonely praise Him by this strong song of praise, entitled, Power of your love.
What a consoling and loving embrace God offers to my friends!
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap