It’s been ten years since the entertainment phenomenon of Britney Spears arrived on the scene, and since then the world has been obsessed with her every waking moment. Last night after a busy week and busier weekend, Lauren and I finally sat down to watch the DVRed Britney Spears: For The Record documentary on MTV, and after watching I feel nothing but pity for her. Sure, she chose fame and made the choices that brought her to the place she is in, but that in no way means, I have the right to find pleasure in her pain.

The truth is if people didn’t read the tabloids or buy the magazines, Britney’s story would be different. I won’t lie… I’ve made fun of her in the past. Laughed at her 2007 VMA performance… stared bewildered at her shaved head… enjoyed watching the mighty fall. But after watching her, I can’t help but wonder when did I become so calloused that the brokenhearted (no matter who they are or how much they’re worth) don’t affect me anymore?

On the latest album of Bebo Norman (one of my favorite Christian artists), Norman wrote a song specifically for Britney as an apology to what we as the world have done to her and young women as a whole. We’ve taken everything that should matter as a person and replaced it with superficial fluff, and now we wonder why our 12 year-olds look 16. I’m just as much to blame as the next person, but I’m hoping the next time I start to find joy in someone else’s misfortune I’ll remember this song… and the broken girl we’ve created.

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Britney by Bebo Norman
Britney, I’m sorry for the lies we told
We took you into our arms and then left you cold
Britney, I’m sorry for this cruel, cruel world
We sell the beauty but destroy the girl
Britney, I’m sorry for your broken heart
We stood aside and watched you fall apart
I’m sorry we told you fame would fill you up
And money moves the man so drink the cup

I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
You never see it coming back
I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
But I can see it coming back for you
Yes coming back for you

Britney, I’m sorry for the stones we throw
We tear you down just so we can watch the show
Britney, I’m sorry for the words we say
We point the finger as you fall from grace

I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
You never see it coming back
And I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
But I can see it coming back for you

Yeah, it’s coming back for you,
Yeah, it’s coming back for you,
Yeah, it’s coming back for you, yeah

Britney, I do believe that love has come
Here for the broken
Here for the ones like us

I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
You never see it coming back
And I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
But I can see it coming back

I know love goes around the world we know
And you never see it coming back
You never see it coming back
I can see it coming back for you

It’s coming back for you… yeah