Your Open Hands

[Verse 1]
You leave your coat across my chair
And ask me how the day went wrong
I hear the answer in your pause
And let you finish, let it land

I used to win the last word
Like it was something I could keep
Now I can see your tired eyes
And choose the gentler thing to say

[Pre-Chorus]
You don't ask me to be perfect
You just ask me to be here
So I’m learning how to listen
When my old defenses steer

[Chorus]
For the love you give me, I can change
Put the sharp reply away
Take the long way back, make room to understand
I want to be a better man
Not to earn a gold star or a name
But to meet your open hands
You make me want to do the work
And be a better man

[Verse 2]
You know the habits I defend
The little lies I call good sense
You never make a courtroom of it
You say, “Come on, let’s try again”

So I call my brother back
I own the things I left unsaid
I make the promise small enough
To keep tomorrow, then the next

[Pre-Chorus]
You don't ask me for a rescue
You don't need me dressed in gold
You just leave the door unlocked
And I decide which way to go

[Chorus]
For the love you give me, I can change
Put the sharp reply away
Take the long way back, make room to understand
I want to be a better man
Not to earn a gold star or a name
But to meet your open hands
You make me want to do the work
And be a better man

[Bridge]
If I stumble, let me say it
If I miss, let me repair
Love is not a clean beginning
It's the choice to still be there

One more morning, one more answer
One more promise I can keep
You don't carry me across it
You just walk beside me

[Final Chorus]
For the love you give me, I can change
Put the sharp reply away
Take the long way back, make room to understand
I want to be a better man
Not to earn a gold star or a name
But to meet your open hands
You make me want to do the work
And be a better man

[Outro]
One small choice, then one again
For your love, I’ll be a better man