In April 2011, somewhat out of the blue, Jack was offered a great job opportunity that would bring us back to Atlanta, the city where both of us grew up.  After weighing all the pros and cons and asking God for wisdom, we made the painful decision to uproot from Nashville and replant in Atlanta.  The fact that all my family and lifelong friends live in Atlanta made for a somewhat easier transition, but we underestimated just how difficult it would be to say goodbye to Brentwood Baptist, our church family for the past 8 years.  I was blessed to serve as a worship leader there with some of the most God-fearing and talented people on the planet.  I was also in close proximity to LifeWay, the wonderful organization where I’m currently signed as a songwriter and recording artist, as well as being conveniently located in the same city as a large portion of the music industry, including some songwriters and producers who’ve become dear friends of mine these past eight years.  And while Atlanta is also a thriving “music city” in its own right, leaving behind the life we loved in Nashville to move “back home” has been extremely difficult.

So, what do I do when things are difficult?  I write a song about it.

One night, while making the ever-familiar 3.5-hour drive from Nashville to Atlanta, it was so foggy outside I could barely see two feet in front of my car.  I was literally in a cloud of fog and, had I not been on such a familiar road, would have felt utterly lost.  In that moment, a song idea was born with the opening phrase, “Traveling down a dark and winding road, a cloud of fog is hovering above me, stretching as far as I can see”, and within minutes the first verse and chorus was written.

All this recent life change, and all this uncertainty on the horizon has made me feel as though I’m in a cloud of fog, like that night on I-24.  But, as I am reminded to cling to the One who guides my steps and sees everything clear as day, I trust His faithfulness and believe that, one day, I will look back on this seemingly bizarre season of life and it will all make sense.

I had this song half-written for quite some time, until finally, I shared it with my favorite co-writer and he, as he so often does, wrote a second verse that completely expressed what I could not find the words to say.

Here it is.  I hope this encourages you in the same way it encourages me every time I sing it to myself.  And, maybe you just might get to hear it on my next album…

“We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!” (1 Corinthians 13:12, MSG)

Words & Music by Shelly E. Johnson (Verse 2 by Jason Dyba)

VERSE 1

Traveling down a dark and winding road

A cloud of fog is hovering above me

stretching as far as I can see

Don’t know when this fog will clear

When the turns, the twists and bends will all make sense

And I will finally see

But little do I know, just a few miles up ahead

The clouds subside, the sun shines

And it’s a beautiful day

CHORUS

All things will make sense in the end

If they don’t, it’s not the end

All things will make sense in the end

If they don’t, it’s not the end

So keep going

VERSE 2

Looking back is always clear as day

You learn the hardest roads will lead you on to strength

You find His hand was never far away

I don’t know when my time will come

But when it does, the twists and bends will all make sense

And I will finally see

Cause little do I know, just a few miles up ahead

The clouds subside, the sun shines

And it’s a beautiful day

CHORUS

All things will make sense in the end

If they don’t, it’s not the end

All things will make sense in the end

If they don’t, it’s not the end

So keep going

BRIDGE

Run this race

Keep your faith

and don’t give up

CHORUS

All things will make sense in the end

If they don’t, it’s not the end

All things will make sense in the end

If they don’t, it’s not the end

So keep going

I’m so excited for you to hear all these new songs!