Why is it that certain songs grab your heart and have a way of comforting you while you’re driving down the highway? Music just has a way of speaking to me.
The Bible tells us to make a joyful noise- while my family and anyone standing too close to me on Sunday mornings at church might not think my singing voice is exceptionally beautiful, I do sing with lots of joy!
I believe music is one of the most therapeutic remedies when life gets tough, and that music has the power to turn mourning into dancing. That is why I’ve put together this list of 5 songs that have ministered to our family over the past 16 years. I hope they do the same for you.
“IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL” by Horatio G. Spafford
This song holds a very special place in our hearts. When David initially got hurt, right after the explosion, he was mad. He was angry that he’d gotten injured. He was upset that the explosion happened. Then, a co-worker came around the corner and started praying for David. This kind act made David realize that he needed to refocus his mind and heart. Before the first responders arrived at the accident sight, David was able to come to terms with the fact that he was severely injured. He vividly remembers telling God that he knew he was hurt pretty badly, that he wasn’t ready to quit fighting for his life, but if that wasn’t God’s plan, that it would be ok- it would be “well with his soul.” We firmly believe that because David was able to fix his eyes on God before he was sedated at the hospital, instead of being furious, that David’s mindset was much more positive when he finally woke up. Being content with God’s plan isn’t always easy.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
When David was in the Burn Unit in Galveston ,Texas, we received a VHS tape in the mail. Our friends and former pastor from Minnesota, had gathered together for a night of prayer on David’s behalf and made a home video of their time together. People shared stories about David and they spoke words of encouragement. At the end, the group sang this song. At the time, David was still unable to wear his glasses and couldn’t see very well, but we played the video on the TV in his hospital room. Even though he couldn’t see, he could hear their message loud and clear. While the group sang the lyrics, David chimed in and sang the chorus. What a powerful reminder of how amazing our God is!
Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God
“ALL IN ALL” by Dennis Jernigan
I used to sing this song over and over, while I was on David’s hospital room. It still has a way of making me tear up when I hear it. It’s a powerful song about God being everything, but back in 1999 when I was singing it, I wasn’t necessarily singing about God being my all in all- I realized that I had placed David before God. I had been singing the song to David, saying David was my strength and that David always picked me up when I had fallen. It was this song that brought clarity to this problem, and through this song that I re-learned what it means for God to be my treasure, my everything.
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I run dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all
“EVEN IF” by Kutless
Last June, David and I were caught off guard when we went in for a check-up after a surgery to look at the new graft sight on his right leg, and were told by the surgeon that David had cancer. Words cannot begin to describe the devastation I felt. I couldn’t control the tears that were rolling down my cheeks as we walked back to our car to begin the 3 hour drive back to our home. As we turned the key into the ignition, the radio came on. Can you believe that this song was playing?! God was speaking to my heart through this particular song, even though I couldn’t wrap my heart around it.
Even if the healing doesn’t come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn’t come
“OCEANS (WHERE FEET MAY FAIL)” by Hillsong
Our daughter, Samantha, found comfort from this song last summer when David was diagnosed with cancer. She even sang it during one of church’s Sunday Worship Nights and when she did I cried like a baby. The lyrics are a powerful reminder that it’s important for us to hold on to our faith especially when life throws us a curve ball or when things happen to us that we don’t understand.
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now…
“THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE” by Matthew West
We love this song for several reasons – it stresses the fact that we are all given second chances. Thank Goodness for that! This song also points out that it’s up to us on how we decide to spend our days- when things happen to us that we don’t understand we can choose to be bitter or better. More recently, this song has emphasized to us the importance or writing our story. We all have a story within us and by sharing it, we can give God glory. One of the reasons David & I decided to write our book was so we’d be able to pass down the amazing story of what God’s done for us so future generations won’t miss out on the miracles God has done.
Is this the end?
Or only the beginning?
The second chance
You never thought you’d get
The question is
Will you do something with it
Or spend your days
Lost in your regret
This is the story of your life
You decide
How the rest is gonna read
This is your chance between the lines
To redefine what kind of legacy you leave
This is the story of your life
And it’s a story worth telling…
That is our list of favorite songs, but I want to hear yours! What songs have gotten you through hardship, or comforted you when you need encouragement?
In the Garden is one song that has meant a lot to me thru the years. An old favorite.
Carly,
I just discovered your blog, I could spend all day reading! Your family is truly an ispiration. Reading your words and seeing you from “the outside”, I can so clearly see God’s work in you and through you. The songs you mentioned touch my heart as well, I LOVE “Oceans” and really regret missing hear Samantha sing it, I hope I will get another chance, soon! Our lives seem to be going so fast and busy, but I truly hope to have the opportunity to talk with you more and get to know you better! 🙂
Tina-
I’m so glad you found us online! Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement. We think Sam did an amazing job singing “Oceans” at Worship Night, but we might be a little biased. It’s been a song that touched her heart, that’s for sure!