“STRONG” — Sarah Frei
Image Source: LDS Living
When I first heard this song a month ago, and the tragic story behind the song, I cried. I cried first for Sarah Frei, but I also cried for all of us who have had lives shattered by drunk drivers, as we have.
In an article written by Danielle Christensen in the August 10, 2021 edition of the LDS Living magazine, she describes the song writing process after Sarah’s accident:
WHY A NEW SONG WRITTEN FOR PARAPLEGIC AND DOUBLE AMPUTEE SARAH FREI IS INSPIRING THOUSANDS
Jake Tesch kept having the thought that a song should be written for his niece Sarah Frei. A few months prior, Sarah had been hit by a drunk driver in a car accident on July 30, 2020, where she was paralyzed from the waist down. Both her legs had to be amputated above the knee, making her one of the few double-amputee paraplegics in the world.
Jake knew a song about Sarah would have to be special and that faith should be a core component.
“I didn’t want it to be a narrative of the accident. I wanted it to be a faith-promoting song, one that would be applicable to more than just Sarah,” says Jake.
So he reached out to Latter-day Saint songwriter Shawna Edwards, the composer behind inspiring songs such as “The Miracle,” which has over 4.7 million views on YouTube.
Jake and his wife Amanda recall listening to “Strong” for the first time and how it was perfect not for only Sarah, but for anyone going through a trial.
“When Shawna played the song for us, we just thought it was beautiful. We were both crying,” Jake says. “The lyrics were so applicable to Sarah’s situation, but then also to me and to Amanda and to anyone who really listens to it—it’s a song about Christ and how sometimes He doesn’t take away the pain and the sorrow and our trials. He allows us to go through them but He’s always there. He doesn’t make us experience [these] things on our own. He’s always there helping us along the way.”
At a watch party of “Strong” where Shawna, Vocalocity, and the Frei family were present, Sarah shared how she had been struggling and what it meant to her to have this song written for her. Recently, Jake reflected on the divine timing of how the song came together.
“I’d never seen her say that she’s been struggling. I’m sure her family had, but that was the first time she had expressed it vocally to all of us there. And what was really cool was she just said, ‘I feel like this song was meant for me today, right now, right at this moment.’ She’s like, ‘This is what’s going to help me get through today and tomorrow and the next 10, 15 years. . . .
I hope you will take a few minutes to watch this incredible music video, “Strong,” which was written for Sarah Frei. I’m sure it will be as life-changing for you as it has been for me. I believe that Jesus Christ can help each one of us to be STRONG.
Strong
Verse 1:
Sometimes dreams are stolen / It only takes a moment
And what was whole is broken / so fast
The life I took for granted / and the plans I made were shattered
Like just a million pieces of / the past.
But in the wreckage, I knew there were angels
Through the struggle, there was strength to carry on
Though you didn’t move the mountains, Lord, or part these waves of pain
I can see You’ve been here all along.
Chorus:
There is a miracle / In every breath I take
And I am living proof / Of Your amazing grace
The darkest nights I know / Will always end with dawn
And You’ll be here to make me strong
Verse 2:
Some day I will hear You / Gently call my name
And I will rise unbroken, unafraid
Oh there will be no heartache / And there will be no pain
But until then, I will live by faith
Bridge:
No one was broken more than You / No one can love me like You do
So when I cry I know
You’re weeping too
Chorus 2:
There is a miracle / In every breath I take
And I am living proof / Of Your amazing grace
The darkest nights I know / Will always end with dawn
And You’ll be here to make me strong
Though You didn’t move the mountains, Lord, or part these waves of pain
All I need is You to help me stay
Strong enough to not give up / today.