The Safe and Mighty Arms of Your Love - Song History
WORDS & MUSIC
Dennis Jernigan
May 9, 2019

This song was inspired by a personal trial my wife and I are currently facing. Me with a damaged vocal cord and a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease and she being the one who walks with e through the trial. While I have a few bad days here and there, the medication helps me have more good days than bad. Fighting health battles are never fun and tend to wear one out in every way possible…but those going through such battles with loved ones - the care-givers - suffer in ways that take their own steady toll. Melinda watches me go through the times of debilitating discouragement and, at times, must feel like she is watching her husband going over a waterfall and there is nothing she can do to stop the descent. She willingly goes above and beyond the call of duty as she tries to encourage me through the dark times…as she tries to console my grieving over the diagnosis…as she tries to prop me up emotionally and mentally and spiritually and, at times, physically. In many ways, I think the caregiver suffers just as much as the one with poor health…if not more.

This song came as a way for me to offer her some comfort from the constant care she must provide for me. I can see when I am a burden to her. I can hear the fear in her voice when she bravely pours out her faith on me. I know she has no one to hold her together when she falls apart in tears as she worries over me as I sleep. This song - while I do take it to heart for myself - is for her as a means of the Lord applying a healing balm to and for her hurting soul as she watches me go through my illness. It is my feeble attempt at encouraging her who so awesomely and continually encourages me. May it be a balm to her heart, soul, and mind…and may it prove to be balm to you and yours as well.
Dennis Jernigan

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Psalm 51:17 NASB