Just a few days after his birth, Bowen, whose name means “small, victorious one,” underwent his first open heart surgery. The surgery went well, but the next night he suffered cardiac arrest and Matt and Sarah feared they would lose him. After an hour of CPR on his tiny chest, still open from the surgery, Bowen was revived and placed on life support. Slowly over the next few weeks, Bowen became stronger and no longer needed to be on life support or even oxygen. However, he had other complications including a stroke and being diagnosed with hyperinsulinism.
Bowen has been released to home care until his second surgery, scheduled for February 2011. His third surgery will take place when he is 2-3 years old. Through Bowen’s experience with HLHS, the Hammitts have become part of the community of families that have a child affected by a congenital heart defect.
First hand, they have gained awareness of the needs of these families – practical, financial, emotional, and spiritual. They are in the process of starting of foundation from which to they can draw resources to assist families who have needs in any number of these areas.
Matt is the lead singer, guitarist, and one of the founding members of Grammy-Nominated, Dove Award winning band Sanctus Real. With eight No. 1 hits on the Christian music charts and 15 years on the public stage, Matt has a unique platform to champion awareness for congenital heart defects.
On September 13th, 2011 Matt released his first solo album entitled "Every Falling Tear," inspired by Bowen's experience.
*taken from bowensheart.com
Tears
Matt Hammitt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To let this, out into the daylight
You're not alone, we all have days
When the well inside needs to break
Just let 'em fall, like healing rain
Watch the walls, start crumbling
Let your heart beat, and feel the weight
Just let 'em fall, right down your face
Hit the ground, in a pool of grace
And feel the things, you haven't felt for years
That's why God made tears
The waves crash, hard into the harbour
But you don't, have to hold 'em back any longer
There's a freedom, found when you're unafraid
To let the water, wash it all away
Just let 'em fall, like healing rain
Watch the walls, start crumbling
Let your heart beat, and feel the weight
You've carried disappear
Just let 'em fall, right down your face
Hit the ground, in a pool of grace
And feel the things, you haven't felt for years
That's why God made tears
Watch the old become new
Let the fear fade away
Feel His arms around you
Ohh, It's OK
You've been, waiting a long time
Just let 'em fall, like healing rain
Watch the walls, start crumbling
Let your heart beat, and feel the weight
You've carried disappear
Just let 'em fall, right down your face
Hit the ground, in a pool of grace
And feel the things, you haven't felt for years
That's why God made tears
That's why God made tears
The song "Tears" by Matt Hammitt captures the sentiment of leaning into vulnerability and opening oneself up to emotions that have been long suppressed. The opening lines, "You've been, waiting a long time, to let this out into the daylight," suggest that the person has been bottling up their emotions for a while and finally feels the need to release them. The chorus encourages the person to let their tears flow, to let the walls they have built around themselves come down, and to allow themselves to feel the weight they have been carrying disappear.
Hammitt believes that tears are a natural way to cleanse and heal one's inner being. Tears can help one rid themselves of pent-up emotions and allow them to embrace their true selves, which is why he says, "That's why God made tears." The bridge of the song promotes a sense of safety and reassurance, suggesting that it's okay to feel vulnerable, allowing one to find freedom in pain.
In summary, Hammitt encourages listeners to be accepting of their emotions, to find healing by releasing their tears and to embrace the feeling of renewal that comes after a good cry. Tears carry significant weight and act as a conduit of emotions, often expressing what we cannot say in words.
Line by Line Meaning
You've been, waiting a long time
You have been holding on for a while now.
To let this, out into the daylight
To release these feelings and let them out into the open.
You're not alone, we all have days
You are not the only one who struggles with emotions.
When the well inside needs to break
When the emotions bottled up inside need to be released.
Just let 'em fall, like healing rain
Allow the tears to fall, it will help with the healing process.
Watch the walls, start crumbling
Observe the barriers you have set for yourself begin to break down.
Let your heart beat, and feel the weight
Allow yourself to feel the emotions you have been carrying.
You've carried disappear
The weight you have been carrying will go away.
Just let 'em fall, right down your face
Permit tears to fall from your eyes.
Hit the ground, in a pool of grace
Allow yourself to fall into a safe space, free of judgement or condemnation.
And feel the things, you haven't felt for years
Experience emotions that you may have suppressed for a long time.
That's why God made tears
God created tears for this very reason.
The waves crash, hard into the harbour
A metaphorical representation of emotions coming in suddenly.
But you don't, have to hold 'em back any longer
You do not have to suppress your feelings anymore.
There's a freedom, found when you're unafraid
You will feel liberated when you are not afraid to express yourself.
To let the water, wash it all away
To let yourself be cleansed of the negative emotions you have been carrying.
Watch the old become new
Observe how changes will come.
Let the fear fade away
Allow fear to leave your system.
Feel His arms around you
You will sense the love and comfort of God.
Ohh, It's OK
It is okay to feel and let it all out.
Writer(s): Jeff Pardo, Matthew Hammitt
Contributed by Aiden F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@flipwilson4398
“COME BEFORE HIM WITH YOUR TEARS”
Revelation 21:4
[4]And God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes: and there shall bee no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there bee any more paine: for the former things are passed away.
I'm not going to pretend nor be ashamed to admit that I go to my secret place in my darkness and cry. But when I do HE DRAWS me closer to HIM & softly whispers, MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT and everything is going to be alright.
My tears run like a never ending river In the depths of my brokenness and in the weakness of my pain. But HE pulls me up into HIS GOODNESS & FAITHFULNESS as HE wipes the tears away with His gentle nail scarred hands and assures me I'VE been covered by HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD STAINS.
I feel like a child when I can't stop crying, I feel as though the hurt is so crushing & so deep. HE warms me with HIS EMBRACE and says, it's okay Mark because I FEEL YOUR PAIN AND I ALSO WEEP.
I've been taught by this lost, dark, dying world to suck it up and that I'm not a MAN if I cry, but in my heart I'm the one that feels the trembling of this terrifying realness. "BUT GOD!", HE is the ONE who understands and calms me with HIS GENTLENESS in the quietness of HIS PEACE & STILLNESS.
When I'm in my secret place and I'm afraid & all alone as my world seems as though it's falling apart. I know HE IS THERE and it's okay if I CRY because HE has GIVEN ME HIS OWN HEART.
TO HIM BE THE GLORY
FOREVER!
MCE
@mkmart308
As I was leaving the cemetery from visiting my daughter's grave, I was having a chat with God as the tears fell...and this song came on. She's been in heaven 11 years today, yet it still feels like she left us yesterday. This song soothed my soul as the tears fell.
@trickshot_katebishop7612
Praying 🙏💕
@lauradisimone498
It’s been twenty eight months since he went to be with Jesus and my heart still hurts. Takes my breath away. 💔
@mtw.abp.m
He called the weary and the heavy burdened to come to Him and He WILL give them rest. He said the battle is His and not yours. He said to cast all your anxiety on Him. He said He has overcomed the world. He said He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us. He said we are His. God said we are His children, and He is our Father, our Heavenly Father, do you feel how deep and amazing and incredible is that!!? He sent His only begotten son, and He paid the ultimate price to give us a superadded life, to heal and forgive us and give us peace. Why worry? When He is in control? Relax, dear friends, God has got us. We. Only. Need. To. Believe... Trust.❤
@djadams3356
It's too bad that songs like this can't reach the charts just because they're christian songs
@melweymeyer1951
Says who? God can do the impossible.
@foundationsofsapphiresbysa151
It’s sad to me that some Christian stations won’t play his music because he’s not on a mainstream label company.
@brandyallbritton3998
Thank you for this song. Someone shared it with me today. TEARS are not a weakness. They are a STRENGTH.
@Adridaniels1996
Matt everything you have done from the coffee of life to longer than a life time and on to your solo career have changed me helped me and empowered me. Thank you for following your calling and being an instrument of the Lord Jesus Christ.
@sfa4676
Such a powerful song, especially when God is already prompting your heart to lay your baggage at the foot of the cross.