A Song in My SOUL!

So, if you were ever an AVB fan, you now have a song in your head just from my title....(Okay, that's probably only my immediate family....Don't you remember, fam---"I've got a song in my SOUL and I wanna let it out, Your spirit in my life, well, it makes me wanna shou-out..."---all sung with a double-clap from the audience. :) (Okay, Cass, I fixed my mistake. Thanks for helping me out on the lyrics---it's been a while since I was doing the electric slide with Tiffany at those concerts. :)

ANYWAY, I digress. On to the point...

This blogging thing has had its ups and downs for me...but, truly, the last few days have been fun. As I've learned how to add things that make it "mine", it has been rewarding to watch it change (and there's more coming, I hope!) One thing I have added has been a song or two. And, that was no light decision for me...as with anything else I have to decide. :)


There were hundreds of songs I could have chosen---and SO many that I love---but I really wanted to be selective and choose only a few that represented my life right in this moment. And, especially, that summed up the purpose of my blog.

So, I wanted to talk about them for a minute.

First of all, if you know me, you know that I have two best friends who don't really know me very well....but I feel like I know them.

Steven Curtis Chapman and Nichole Nordeman. I know, I know. I'm a predictable Christian music follower. I've been called a grandma for this....but I don't care. They each truly speak to my heart and have an amazing God-given talent. I respect them as musicians and song-writers, but also as the Godly spouses, parents, and "everyday people" that they are.

I chose two of my favorite Nichole songs (although I literally could have chosen 60.) :

* "Legacy" speaks of the incredible responsibility we have in leaving a legacy after we are gone and challenges me to really think about what I'm doing every day to do just that. My favorite (and most challenging) line is "Did I point to Him enough?" Absolutely my goal in life is to point to Him every day and "bless His name unapologetically".


*"I Am" is one of the first songs I ever heard Nichole play in concert. And, I bawled through it. I had just had Kendyll (in fact, she was nestled in her carrier under the pew during the concert), and as she sang about the stage of motherhood, I completely related. This song so amazingly sums up each season of life that we go through and especially how our relationship with God deepens and becomes more of what we need with each stage we enter. Truly an amazing song.


There are so many more songs that I could add by my BFF Nichole. But, I'll stop there. Those two sum up---quite well---the season of life I am dwelling in right now.


Now, on to "Stevie C", as my sister calls him. Once again, the number of songs were limitless. Yet, his latest album (which I just got for Christmas) speaks to me like no other album of his has done. It hits me right where I am right now, and every song means something to me.

*"Cinderella" couldn't be more perfect for our family, as he describes not wanting to miss a moment of his sweet girls' dancing. Oh my goodness, the tears were flowing when I heard this for the first time. And, I've cried many times since then as I listen and picture our future with three girls to dance with their daddy.


*"Changing the World" is one of those songs that every mother needs to hear. Another tear jerker. It speaks right to our hearts, as mommies, and reminds me that everyday things that seem small and mundane each day truly do have a purpose. And, the Lord is using us as mothers EVERY DAY in our homes. This is one of those songs that came along at just the right time for me. Lord, may I strive to see every smile, hug, and cleaned up spill as a chance to "change the world".


*"Children of God" is just a fun song, and sums up what I want my children to know most of all. That they are precious children of God. Kendyll loves to play "air guitar" to this one, and we sing it quite loud in the car. I pray every time that the words of the song seep into these girls' hearts as they dance along. :)

I also love that this song is sung by Caleb, Steven's son. It is amazing to watch as a child grows up and grows into his God-given talents. Mark and I have had many conversations and countless prayers about the awesome responsibility---and great joy---of encouraging and allowing our girls to discover and use their gifts and talents the Lord has planned for them. This song makes me smile when I remember Caleb being a tiny toddler, and now listening to him rock out with a guitar just like his dad.


*"We Will Dance" is on my all-time favorites list. A wonderful testament to the absolute commitment of marriage. I'm so blessed to be able to sing this about my own marriage. Through every season---even the busy ones, like we are in now---we will dance. So, I guess that is my song for him. :)


*"Give it all Away" is by Aaron Shust (another one I love!), and just constantly reminds me to give it all back to Him. Everything is His. And, I feel like it is an appropriate 'blog" song. Nothing we enjoy, nothing we plan, nothing we have, comes from us. I pray that I give credit where credit is due when I am blogging about my family. The song says:

"All my plans, all my dreams, I lay them down before your feet; All of my time, all that was mine, I now submit to your design". Later it says "You make me dance, You make me laugh, You make me sing". I love that.

So, there you have it. The reason behind the music. Hope you enjoy the new addition of the "songs of my heart".