My oldest is now into music.  It started with a great choir teacher.  She is/was amazing. She instilled a love for music, lyrics, instruments. Gave them a thrill of listening. So – now a challenge for me begins to continue to flame that passion, and direct the music.  Music has always been important in my life.  As a child – I was raised in the hymns. Had the numbers memorized to the name of the hymn.  I had/have 3-4 of the stanza’s memorized.  They taught me about redemption and grace and forgiveness. They taught me to read – music and words. They taught me to sing – and taught me to hear – to listen.  In Jr. High and High School I switched to Christian Radio Channels.  We were blessed to be in Oklahoma City during most of this time – quite a few of my favorites traveled through and sang in the Convention Center or in our churches. Fun. Friendship. Worship. Growth. I can remember Carman like it was yesterday – learning the lyrics to the songs.  Singing with Smitty and Sandi Patti in our church at PCBC. I sat in an under attended concert for Steve Green. His voice is amazing. The worship that evening was amazing. The only time I’ve ever felt that way at a concert was with Greg Long in Coos Bay.  Mercy said No.  He sang in our little auditorium at Marshfield, to another under attended event. We sat in the back, feet on the chairs in front of us, and listened to his worship surround us.  Amazing.  My youth group activities directed who I liked, which concerts we went to. My girl friends influenced who I liked as a teen fan. I never did get into other bands – I listened to Billy Idol with my boom box on my shoulder walking down the pavement in Mustang Oklahoma, trying to act cool with my Coca Cola shirt on. . . . But I didn’t like him.  So – as my boys start to fill their mp3 players with music, I have  mixture of joy and anxiety, expectancy and elation – at the knowledge that they are growing up.  Joy and peace that their friends are not into the current pop scene. I asked a few friends their favorites and have a list a mile long to go through.  So far, I’ve bought Matthew West’s MP3 collection called Something To Say and favorited Brandon Heath.  Some day I might even find something the boys will like too. 🙂

So I leave you with this video from Brandon Heath.  He has an interview on Air One about the writing and intention of this song.  I have a hubby that went through alot of hurt as a child and young man. I think of him as I listen to the song.  But I also see myself – and people who have hurt me – and people whom I have hurt. I grow daily in the Lord. I grow daily as a mom and a wife and a friend. Here is a quote from the song that I love – “The thing I find most amazing – is amazing grace – is the chance to give it out – maybe thats what love is all about”.

So as the sacrificial mom that I am, I will spend the weekend getting to know the list of names that are yet unfamiliar to me – Switchfoot, Relient K, David Cowder Band, Toby Mac, KJ-52, Group 1 Crew, Grits, Lecrae, Luke Benwar, Hawk Nelson – and downloading a bit of Hank Williams Sr to help him have a bit to talk to grandpa about . .