Yes! I Can Do It!

Do you remember kids songs from your childhood that have a really powerful message? Or they are just really comforting? I found some a week or so ago that are just that. I find that children's songs are often more encouraging and comforting than 'grown-up' songs, because of this I have added those songs I found to my playlists. So today I am gonna break down a small portion of one of those songs and explain why even now as an adult I still love it.

Does anyone remember Guidepost Junction? If you've never seen it and have a spare half hour I would recommend having a look, you can find it on Youtube (or you can just check out the songs.) It was a direct-to-video (remember those...) series made in the mid-1990s (though during my childhood I only saw The Little Things episode and I didn't see it till the early 2000s.) It had Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel in Disneys Little Mermaid,) a turtle named Wally T. Turtle and the Post kids. They got letters from kids all over America who talked about their problems and asked for advice from Wally (that they normally read after the Post kids have a similar dilemma between themselves.) Jodi, Wally and the kids would talk about it, Jodi would tell a true story about a real person who went through a similar situation; they'd make a guidepost (a summary of the lesson learnt) and sing a song then move on to the next one. Since mid-November, I have had one of its songs in my head, so a week or so ago I looked it up and found a load of songs from the episodes I didn't see as a child, one of them has sort of become my anthem for 2019. The song is called Yes! I Can Do It! While it is classic 90s kids TV music the lyrics are what get me the first verse says.

Others may be, more able than me; but I won't let it get me discouraged. When I want to give in, I just look up to Him; who helps me and gives me the courage.

The song talks about being able to do things even though others may be better equipped to than you. I don't think I've mentioned it here yet but I have autism (I think my neuro divergence is a marvellous gift from God, but more about that another time,) so others being "more able" than me is a pretty harsh reality I face every day. A reminder not to be discouraged by that is always welcome. There are many times I have wanted to give up when things get difficult to deal with or when I have trouble understanding something that most people would find easy (including this blog.) It talks of looking to Him when I want to give up, Him "who helps me and gives me the courage." Again it's a welcome reminder, it's something I can hear in my head when I am ready to give in; something that reminds me that God is there. When I hear it I am reminded to take a 'Bible break' instead of quitting, I read through scripture that strengthens and encourages me (Isa 40:29, Isa 41:10, Eph 6:10, Phil 4:13 and Col 1:11 just to name a few) then I pray. I ask for his help, guidance and strength to continue whatever I am doing, then I listen to this song cause it's just so catchy. The second verse and chorus continue with,

Whatever I do, a yes attitude; will give me the will to keep going. And though I may fall, I believe through it all; this victory that comes in just knowing.

Yes! I can do it! I know I can do it, if only I'll try. Yes! I'll stick to it! Cause all things are possible, with God on my side.

A "yes attitude" is something that is often encouraged in this world, there are books and websites about it, how to get it, maintain it and how it will impact your life but I think that the yes attitude in the song it different to that of the world. The yes attitude of the world is 'yes I can do this' with the focus point being you; whereas the yes attitude that I feel from the song and the one I want in my life is "through God I can say yes I can do this." That is that attitude I want in my life, a positive one that knows that God is with me and in control, I believe that attitude will keep me going when I fall, through times of stress and feelings of failure. That being said I think failure isn't always a bad thing, you learn far more from it than you do from success. So I learn from my failed attempts, get up, pray and try again. I'll try again and again and again sticking with it because I know that I will be able to do it eventually, "cause all things are possible, with God on my side."

There are other Guidepost Junction songs that I find uplifting and powerful and maybe I'll write about them another time; not going to lie I have definitely had a sing-along/dance party in my room to them while writing this. I think the reason I enjoy them so much is that they are simple, they clearly share their message and while they may sound a little dated now you can still dance and sing along to them, (I mean who doesn't want to sing along with Jodi Benson?) In some ways I wish all music was like that, just got to the point instead of using a load of metaphors (so many metaphors...) alas it is not the case; but at least we can still go back to these old gems.

What songs do you find encouraging or comforting? Are they kids songs? Or do you listen to only 'grown-up' songs? Let me know what you think.