There is something so sweet about a child praising God. Singing myself as well as being able to listen to the little voices singing to their Heavenly Father song after song melts my heart. In addition to completely leaving me in a puddle, those songs instantly bring peace to the room, car, or wherever you happen to be. 

Some of these songs are and will forever be timeless. There are even those songs when you use just the title it can be both a faith statement and cause those around you to immediately recall the tune in their hearts and minds as well. Recently I was reminded of this, because in the same breath as I was singing along with some precious souls riding in my car,  I was immediately struck with a wave of emotion. You see when Jason died, I didn’t just lose him. I lost all of the dreams and plans we had as well. Beyond that, this time of year is typically filled with expected and unexpected grief potholes, but as we were driving and singing I found myself both smiling and then holding back tears. It was a beautiful moment. 

As I reflected on why I felt so many different emotions, I was reminded that my Heavenly Father promised to turn mourning into dancing and exchange beauty for ashes. He promises restoration and in that moment I knew that He would be true to His word. He will not fail me because that is not His character. He is good and He is faithful. He not only answers prayer, but He answers it in a way that goes above and beyond anything we could ever ask or imagine! As you continue reading you will find some of my favorite songs, why they mean so much to me personally, and how they have impacted my life over the years. 

Amazing Grace 

“Amazing Grace” was written in 1772 by John Newton and published in 1779. This song has been a favorite for me and my family for years. My dad loved this hymn. He said it was because he was that wretch at one time in his life. He also said it was because he knew that God truly saved him. My dad did not grow up in a traditional Christian home, nor did he attend a Christian church. He did not grow up reading his Bible or talking about God. He, in his own words, was really great at sinning. He lived life and had fun! When he met my mom they continued this life for a while, until one day they were “tricked” into attending church (long, but a truly amazing story). That day was the day his life changed. When he went to church, we all went as a family. This meant that the culture of our family and everything in our home became different overnight. My dad’s “yes” changed the trajectory of his life and the lives of my mom, my sister, and myself as well as all the generations yet to come. I am forever grateful that he responded to the altar call that day. This hymn causes me to be personally introspective and recall memories all at the same time. It beckons me to remember that it is only because of His grace and mercy that I am here and can have hope for tomorrow. It causes me to look inside and check in with where I am in my walk with my Heavenly Father.  Finally, it reminds me that no matter the story, once you say yes, His grace floods your life and you are forever changed because you allow HIM to author the story from that point. 

In Christ Alone

“In Christ Alone” is a popular modern Christian song written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, both songwriters of Christian hymns and contemporary worship music in the United Kingdom. The music was by Getty and the original lyrics were by Townend. It was composed in 2001. This “hymn” has personal meaning for me. It was one of my dad’s favorites. We played this at his memorial service and had the most beautiful violin solo to open the song. In the lyrics below there is such confidence, such certainty, and such conviction to the author’s faith. It causes me to think about my life and ignites a fire deep within to ensure that I can sing or even just live out these lyrics just as confidently as the author and artists who sing them throughout my daily life. I do not fear life and the experiences ahead, nor do I fear death because I know what a glorious reunion awaits on the other side. Yet, can I say that “Jesus commands my destiny” just as confidently? Not every day and that is something I am working towards. I dare you to read these lyrics without hearing the instrumental track in your head. 

No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

“In Christ Alone” causes me to remember standing next to my daddy with his arms stretched high in worship to his Heavenly Father and it also causes me to remember how hungry he was to continue learning more and never settling for checking the box of “yes, I read this or did that”. He wanted to fully give Jesus command of his destiny every day and with every breath. That my friends is a challenge I want to accept as well.  I want to live “In Christ alone” out daily. 

It is Well

“It Is Well With My Soul”, also known as “When Peace, Like A River”, is a hymn penned by hymnist Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss. First published in Gospel Hymns No. 2 by Ira Sankey and Bliss (1876), it is possibly the most influential and enduring hymn in the Bliss repertoire and is often taken as a choral model, appearing in hymnals of a wide variety of Christian fellowships. This hymn was written after traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the Great Fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to England with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, to help with D. L. Moody’s upcoming evangelistic campaigns. In a late change of plans, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford’s daughters died.  His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone …”. Shortly afterward, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.  Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel. 

I think I have always loved this hymn. The words have always sunk deep into my soul when I hear or sing this song. Even just the instrumental part can cause me to think deeply about the words of this hymn. Once I knew why it was written it made sense. The emotion in the words and the composure are breathtaking. I can recall what it was like to lose my father and my spouse but I cannot relate to the feeling of losing a child, let alone losing all of my children, and know that my spouse had to fight for their life knowing our babies were not going to survive. The deep grief he must have felt when he read that message and then again when he was on the ship passing through the same waters. Yet, he still could say “It is well with my soul.” I can tell you that walking through the loss of someone is extremely tough and depending on the circumstances and their age it is even more difficult to still cling to God and say “It is well with my soul”. But I can say that even on my darkest days, I still felt His presence. I still felt His peace and I always knew that He was good and He was faithful. So this hymn has had such a deep impact and has caused me to reflect on my journey every time I hear it played. I dare you to listen to this hymn and not feel the meaning behind each of the words now that you know some of its history. It is Well!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Great Is Thy Faithfulness is a popular Christian hymn written by Thomas Chisholm (1866–1960) with music composed by William M. Runyan (1870–1957) in Baldwin City, Kansas. Thomas O. Chisholm wrote the poem in 1923 about God’s faithfulness over his lifetime. Chisholm sent the song to William Runyan in Kansas, who was affiliated with both the Moody Bible Institute and Hope Publishing Company. Runyan set the poem to music, and it was published that same year by Hope Publishing Company and became popular among church groups. The Biblical lyrics reference Lamentations 3:22-23. The song was exposed to wide audiences after becoming popular with Dr. William Henry Houghton of the Moody Bible Institute and Billy Graham, who used the song frequently on his international crusades.  

This song…oh this song hits deep. Just the title alone has weight. His faithfulness has been so ever present in every high and low in my life. There hasn’t been one moment when His presence wasn’t evident, even if it wasn’t always felt. Those words there are comforting. Honestly, just reading the title I can hear the song. But beyond that, there have been defining moments in my life where this song has been played. These moments have marked loss, sadness, grief, joy, change, and new adventures. Great is Thy Faithfulness!

Remember my affliction and my homelessness, the wormwood, and the poison. I continually remember them and have become depressed. Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s faithful love, we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him. It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young. Lamentations 3:19-27 CSB

How Great Thou Art

This hymn is based on an original Swedish hymn entitled “O Store Gud” written in 1885 by Carl Boberg. The English version of the hymn and its title are a loose translation by the English missionary Stuart K. Hine from 1949. This hymn reminds me how great my God is and also the promise of reunification with Him and those who have gone before. Let’s look at the first and last verse: 

Oh Lord, my God

When I, in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder

Thy power throughout the universe displayed…

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration

And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art

I don’t know about you, but just reading that makes me want to sing. I love being outdoors. I love walking through nature, whether that is in the prairies of Oklahoma, the Mountains in Colorado, or the beaches of Florida and every other place that I have yet to explore! God made it all and what a plethora of landscapes we have to view the beautiful creation that He has made. The best part is that it all points to Him. The creativeness and the intricate details all point to their Creator in shouts of acclamation! Then reading the final verse, I realized what a glorious day that will be when we see our loved ones once again and God makes all things new. How Great Thou Art! 

You see these are just a few of the songs that have made an impact on my life. I have playlists that remind me of the time when Jason was in the hospital fighting for his life. I have playlists that are filled with hope and some that are even to kick start my day in worship to my Heavenly Father. Whatever the occasion, I probably have a playlist for it! When life gets chaotic and loud, music quiets my mind and helps me to focus my heart and thoughts on God. 

If you have read this far, I would be interested to know what songs have impacted you throughout your life and journey, or maybe what your go-to worship song is. I know we all have one, it’s that one that when you sing it in church makes you reach for your tissue!