Song Inspirations

Have you ever listened to a song and wondered what the songwriter was thinking or what inspired the string of words that now run over and over in your mind? Though I know the Holy Spirit will minister to each person individually and the meaning will be different from one person to the next, I would like to open my heart to you and reveal how the Holy Spirit used this weak vessel to bring glory and honor to the Father.

Running After You  was a song that God used to spring board this project and once I jumped off the diving board, there was no turning back. In fact, the project built up speed as we went from an EP to a full 12 song CD. It all started one night as I was lying in bed and the Holy Spirit said "get a pen and write". I actually argued because I was tired and ready for sleep... but of course I finally obeyed and when I did, the words flowed effortlessly onto my tattered notebook. I couldn't believe it. I had been praying for this moment for so long because I knew God blessed me with the ability to sing, but I didn't think I could ever be a songwriter. If I would have fallen asleep and disregarded that request, I wonder if I would have missed it? Don't miss out on God. Take time to be still and listen... I know He hears me talking enough!! LOL

Next came I Wanna Live and this song was inspired by an illness that both the young and old fall victim to... cancer. In 1997, God laid it on my heart to urge the body to pray for a cure for cancer. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. That means He is still a healer. Today I ask you to pray for a cure for cancer, to pray for those you don't know that have lost a mother, a sister, an innocent baby that will never get to just simply live. I know God will honor the prayers of the faithful.   Though my eyes are on the prize of eternal life with Jesus Christ, I can't deny the desire He placed within each of us to LIVE!

After I wanna Live, I began to see what God was doing. He was not only answering my prayer to write, He was showing me my purpose. We all want that purpose, that perfect will of God to be emailed to us so we know for sure we are walking the right path. Doesn't work that way though, I know, I've asked several times. :) That's when The Map came in. I was reading Psalms 118 and 119 and the psalmist was asking for a map to show him the way he should travel. We could search forever on our own but the truth is there, a map we so often find excuses not to read ... our Bible.

Have you ever had a tragedy confront you that you know only God can pull you out of? In Feb. 2004, I watched as a high school friend was faced with this very thing. There she was sitting in the emergency room, holding her baby for the very last time. Though the sorrow of this loss was so great, Shannon reached through the heavy blanket of pain and sorrow and grabbed the hand of Jesus... the only one that could heal her broken heart. I was talking (and crying) with her one night and she said something that rings in my mind still today "Karly is in heaven and the Bible says that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  She is my treasure and she is in the presence of God." After that phone call Hold Me Closer and In Your Midst were born. Whatever you are facing today isn't bigger than God. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.
 

Next came Swimming In The Ocean and Amazing Grace. Both of these are very dear to my heart but I won't bore you with details on these.

The next five songs came very quickly and my producer finally had to put his foot down and say "no more, you've got to save some for your next CD!"

The Flower is a favorite of mine. It refers to Jesus when He was first introduced to the Jewish people.  Stay was written when my husband was gone on a trip very far from home. I missed him and of course, my favorite pass-time is singing so I began to sing my love song for him. As I got more into the song, I began to realize that my longing and my desire to always have him by my side is the same as my desire to always have the presence of the Holy Spirit. What started out to be a love song to my partner on earth, evolved into a love song for Jesus.

Honestly and What If were also written when my husband, Randy, was away. Though they are so different they both talk about the same thing... love.  In Honestly, there is the petition for Jesus to teach us how to love like He does... past everything, every circumstance... just unconditional, irrevocable, love. If we loved like that, think how much better this world would be?

What If is my story-telling song. My sister lost a friend to a freak accident and there was so many "what ifs" she asked God. I sat down and began writing. I was so moved that my heart ached for her and the lines to the first verse poured out of my soul as a prayer for that situation.  When I got to the chorus I just stopped and began crying, but not for the woman. I cried because I felt a stirring in my spirit that changed the meaning to me... it was about Jesus and the person telling the story was Mary. Time and time again we see in the Bible followers that saw firsthand the wonders and miracles of God, but yet their flesh still prevailed at times.  I could see Mary asking God if there was another way.  She knew the plan Jesus, but she was still a mother.

Last but not least... Shine. Oh, how great God is.  I was praying about my title track.  It was between The Flower and I Wanna Live. God answered my prayers and said neither. Well, I didn't want to have a twenty-song CD, so I just prayed it would come soon. Then one night as I was walking outside with my dog, I gazed up into the stars and God reached down and gave me the beautiful words to this song. As many stars as there are in the sky, there are so many more ways and characteristics of our Lord. He is so enormous, our minds could never fathom His true majesty. I just pray that He would shine on me so I can be a light for Him. You shine!

If you've read to this point, you are far more attentive than I am, and I thank you for taking time to read my sketchy thoughts.  May God bless you and keep you.   May His face shine upon you and give you rest. If I never get a chance to meet you, we will see each other in heaven!!

Blessings and Favor,

Kerri

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