The Belle Community Betterment Association (BCBA) member Sundi Jo Graham officially released her single, “Jesus and Time” on Friday, March 3. Sundi Jo is a singer/songwriter and former Belle resident.
With powerful vocals and haunting lyrics, “Jesus and Time” offers a poignant and heartbreaking glimpse into the world of domestic abuse and addiction. The song is a testament to the struggles of those trapped in cycles of violence and trauma, trying to break free from those abusing them and the coping mechanisms controlling them.
The song’s protagonist is a woman who finds herself in an abusive relationship, struggling to cope with the pain and isolation it brings. As she drinks herself into oblivion, she wonders if she’ll ever find freedom. Only Jesus and time will tell.
“Jesus and Time” is a deeply personal and passionate song. The raw power of Sundi Jo’s vocals and the dramatic yet stripped-down production lend an intimacy to the song, making it all the more haunting yet hopeful.
“I wrote this song after watching a friend struggle desperately with the ins and outs of an abusive relationship,” said Sundi Jo. She would go back to the man abusing her and then isolate herself from everyone who loved her. Then, when she would get the courage to leave him, she would continue to isolate herself from those who loved her and drink herself into oblivion. It was a never-ending cycle of shame, and it was so hard to watch because there was nothing I could do about it. I couldn’t fix it. So one night, I was sitting on the porch hurting because she was hurting, and I wrote this song.”
In a time when domestic violence rates are rising, “Jesus and Time” offers a powerful reminder of the need to support survivors and help them break free from their abusers.
“The song is sad, yes,” said Sundi Jo. “But in the midst of the raw lyrics, there’s hope. Hope that it’s not too late to break free. Hope that God can redeem the time and pull you out of the pit.”
Sundi Jo was born and raised in the Belle area. She moved to the Branson, Missouri, area in the early 2000s but moved back to Belle in 2015, where she stayed until moving back to Branson this past summer.
“I never thought I would hear myself say that I miss Belle, but I truly do,” said Sundi Jo. I’m so grateful for the last seven years. God did some big things there, restoring some relationships, creating new friendships, allowing me to disciple others, and doing some healing from some trauma I experienced here in my childhood. Belle will always be my home, and I’ll do whatever I can to continue to pour into it.”
Despite living over 170 miles from “home,” Sundi Jo is still actively involved in the Belle community through the BCBA, assisting with various fundraisers and marketing.
“Jesus and Time” is available on all major streaming platforms. Listeners can learn more about Sundi Jo on her website at sundijo.com.