JJ Heller - Today Lyrics
Lyrics
This was the year the glue gave out
When everything solid became a cloud
Uncertainty swirled around like dust
But home was a safe place for us
When I look in your eyes
All I see is light
And the darkness around us gets smaller
Today
I am thankful for you
Today
I am thankful for you
Are we through this valley or only halfway?
Can't tell if the sky's turning blue or more gray
Don't know what the future has coming our way
But today
I am thankful for you
You color the edges of all we've been through
Everything beautiful comes into view
I see what the headlines could never report
You are what's good in the world
When I look in your eyes
All I see is light
And the darkness around us gets smaller
Today
I am thankful for you
Today
I am thankful for you
Are we through this valley or only halfway?
Can't tell if the sky's turning blue or more gray
Don't know what the future has coming our way
But today
I am thankful for you
Hand in hand
Side by side
Gratitude will be our guide
Heaven knows what we might find tomorrow
But today I am thankful for you
Today
I am thankful for you
Oh, today
I am thankful for you
Today
I am thankful for you
Are we through this valley or only halfway
Can't tell if the sky's turning blue or more gray
Don't know what the future has coming our way
But today
I am thankful for you
Today
I am thankful for you
Video
JJ Heller - Today (Official Audio Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in late 2021, JJ Heller's "Today" emerges as a poignant testament to enduring hope amidst uncertainty, a theme that resonates deeply within the human spirit and finds its most profound expression in faith. The song captures a pivotal moment, described as "the year the glue gave out," where familiar foundations crumble and "everything solid became a cloud." This evocative imagery perfectly mirrors the existential anxieties that can arise when the predictable structures of life dissolve, leaving individuals adrift in a sea of the unknown. Yet, within this disorienting landscape, Heller pivots to the steadfast anchor of human connection, particularly within the sanctuary of home. The lyrics paint a picture of refuge, where even as "uncertainty swirled around like dust," "home was a safe place for us." This speaks to the profound truth found in Proverbs 18:24, which states that "a man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." The song’s central revelation is the power of seeing light in another's eyes, a light that has the remarkable ability to diminish the perceived size of surrounding darkness. This echoes the divine promise in Psalm 27:1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?"
The lyrical refrain, "Today, I am thankful for you," becomes an anthem of present-moment gratitude, a deliberate choice to focus on the blessings available *now*, even when the path forward remains obscured. The questions posed—"Are we through this valley or only halfway?" and "Can't tell if the sky's turning blue or more gray?"—underscore a profound honesty about the limitations of human foresight. This uncertainty is met not with despair, but with a radical embrace of the present. This mindful focus on the current day, its joys and its companions, aligns beautifully with the teachings in Matthew 6:34, which wisely advises, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." The song illustrates how one person can become a source of immense positivity, "color[ing] the edges of all we've been through" and bringing "everything beautiful into view." This person is seen as a tangible embodiment of goodness, far more significant than any fleeting news report. This profound impact of virtuous presence finds a scriptural parallel in Galatians 5:22-23, where the fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—qualities that undoubtedly illuminate the lives of those around them.
Heller's emphasis on holding "Hand in hand, Side by side" as a guiding principle for navigating the future is particularly inspiring. The declaration that "Gratitude will be our guide" is a powerful recognition that a thankful heart is inherently resilient. This is a sentiment deeply embedded in biblical wisdom, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." The song’s enduring message is that even when faced with the vast unknowns of tomorrow, the simple act of acknowledging and appreciating the people and blessings present *today* offers a profound source of strength and solace, transforming the daunting expanse of the future into a series of manageable, grace-filled moments.