Memory Lane Songy-Songs

I know everyone does this, but I love hearing a song that totally takes me back to where I was when I was listening to that song for the first time and what season of life I was in.  Songs are powerful to me and music is definitely something that speaks to me in so many different ways. I love busting a groove in my kitchen when I hear those silly pop songs with a fun beat (yes I do this....no I am not ashamed).  I love playing a song over and over and over that is really touching me and my heart and spirit.  I even love those songs that make me cry big sloppy, wet tears. Sometimes I even pop in a song BECAUSE I know I will cry and I am just "ready for it".  I wanted to share some of these tunes with you today that have taken me and carried me through different paths of life.  I can't help it, but every time I hear Point of Grace's first album - all I can think about is driving in my very first car that I bought all by myself at 17 years old, my Black Honda Accord with the sunroof open on a hot July day and cranking up Point of Grace to a very unhealthy level and feeling so carefree and youthful.  When Susan Ashton's song "No remedy for Love" comes on - I think of my wedding day of which I had this song put on a track to play at our reception - and remembering that new love feeling.  I still get emotional and thankful every time I hear Nichole Nordeman's song "Gratitude".  I played this one literally to death during my most difficult season of infertility.  On those days when my crying seemed endless and my longing for a child felt desperate and unfulfilled - I soaked in the words that spoke of asking God for something that was a true and legitimate need, but maybe he wouldn't grant my request today, maybe he had other plans for me right now and I will choose to have "gratitude" and thanks to you God for my current season.  I, with a smile on my face, remember hearing "Shout to the Lord" and "Blessed be the Name of the Lord" on Makenna's dedication at church and tears welled up in my eyes at the thankfulness I felt towards my Redeemer.  John Mayer was a favorite of mine while I lived in D.C. and every time I hear one of his songs, I still picture myself in that 100 year old house painting my purple kitchen with my sister and listening to his smooth tunes.  Don't get me even started on "Eliana's Song" by Watermark that talks about a love for a daughter, or Mark Schultz's song called "Everything to Me" that he wrote to his birthmother thanking her for the life she gave him in his parents and the dreams he was able to fulfill.  Tears can flow almost instantly on those guys.  And, my most recent song that has struck a chord with me and makes me genuinely hungry for the Lord and his scripture and his protection in this season of confusion and difficulty is Shane Barnard & Shane Everett's song "Embracing Accusation".  Powerful, Powerful, Powerful Song.  It speaks of the devil singing death and failure over me as a Christian and pulling out verses to use on us, but he only gives us half the story - Jesus Saves and Jesus Redeems!!!  It is a beautiful picture of God's Grace and Love and Protection over the "accusation's" the enemy of our soul tries to put on us. Oh.  I love songs.  I love music and I love how they can beautifully speak to us in so many ways. 

For any of you i-tune people out there, shoot me a note if you are interested in checking out one of these songs - I would love to gift one out to the first 5 people that respond to this post today.  Thank you Lord for all the memories held in these poetic songs.  Music is one of your best creations!