March 2 is a day I have eagerly awaited for months now. After nearly 2 years of waiting, anticipating, agonizing, planning, envisioning, wrestling, and writing, As Long As It Takes is finally being released. Now you have to know, the process of creating my sophomore project was never an easy one. In fact, when I started trying to piece together ideas for songs, I felt as if I was scraping the bottom of the barrel. Hadn't I already said everything in The Invitation? I put a good bit of pressure on myself to write better songs only to come up empty-handed. However, finding myself in the place of feeling like I had nothing left to offer was, in reality, the best place I could be. It was here that the Lord showed me how to be still, to listen and simply wait. Nothing to strive for, figure out, or conjure up--just the chance to lay the heaviness of my heart down before a compassionate, gracious, gentle, patient God, and trust him with the rest.
The Carpenters' Christmas album is playing in the background. The smell of Christmas Wreath from Yankee Candle is permeating the bus. I am finishing up a Christmas tour with Todd Agnew and Rush of Fools and will soon be on my way to carrying out age old traditions and making new memories with family this Christmas. I love this time of year and how it brings us close to those we love. To be honest, I love everything about this time of year--the music, the lights, the smells, the food, the hustle and bustle, the feeling of Christmas. What can I say, I'm a sucker for Christmas and all it brings. But sentiment aside, if I'm honest with myself, none of these things are meaningful or lasting. In fact, in just a few short days we'll all take down the tree and put away the decorations until next year. I remember as a kid driving home from my Nana's house Christmas night and having such a sad, empty feeling in my gut. Christmas was over and wouldn't come again for 364 days.
Many of you have been asking me for the lead sheet to He Has Come For Us (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen). Here it is! Would love to know if you're able to use it in your church this Christmas!
The older I get, the more I think I could write a list about a mile long of everything I am thankful for. I would start by thanking the Lord for the people who love me and challenge me to live life to the fullest, the trials that come as a result of living in this fallen world that only teach me to cling more tightly to my faithful God, the opportunity to grasp how high and wide and long and deep is the love of Christ and to know that His loving sacrifice raised me to life.
Good health, physical provisions, my sweet husband and my amazing family would be high on the list, not to mention life lessons, music, waterfalls, daily mercies, my local church body, children, laughter, Panera Bread and sour patch kids. I could go on, but you get the idea.
Being part of A New Hallelujah Tour with Michael W Smith, Matt Maher, and Phil Stacey has far exceeded my expectations in every way. From the moment I received word that I would indeed be on the tour and began preparing for this adventure to the initial rehearsal and first concert, I have felt much like a giddy little school girl complete with butterflies and wide-eyed wonderment. I understood the honor I had been given, but now that we are on the home stretch of our journey together, I can look back and honestly say I have been humbled by the realization of what I get to do, perhaps more so than ever. I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the chance to point people straight to Jesus with the music He has brought to life in my heart, learn from those older and wiser in life and ministry, walk alongside people with the same passion for Spirit and Truth worship, and ultimately glorify the God who has entrusted me with this opportunity.
