If you know me at all, you probably know that music is a huge part of my life. As far back as I can remember I have sung almost as much as I have talked. I feel music in my shondo (if you don’t know what your shondo is, let me know and I will explain) and really think of it as the soundtrack of life. I’m the girl that cries at the end of a musical, not because it is over but because I feel the music so deeply. I also think that song and dance numbers in the middle of the street (or wherever) should be common in real life and not just in movies.
It is no surprise that music played a huge part in my journey over the past year and a half – even the name of this blog is based on “God is in this Story”, a song by Katy Nicole and Big Daddy Weave. That song continues to resonate with me and has become a theme for me – God is definitely in every part of my story! Recently I spent some time reflecting on the music that has been part of the soundtrack of this healing journey and I want to share some of that with you.
Another song by Katy Nicole, “In Jesus’ Name”, is a song I first heard about from my daughter who told me about this young singer who posted a video of herself singing in a parking garage on Tik Tok. The song became a hit on Christian radio and several people not only mentioned it to me but prayed it over me during some of the darkest days of my illness. The lyrics “I pray for your healing, that circumstances will change. I pray that the fear inside would flee in Jesus’ name. I pray that a breakthrough would happen today; I pray miracles over your life in Jesus’ name. In Jesus’ name” were prayers that were answered in the best way. My husband Les recalls following the ambulance that transported me to the hospital in St. Louis and this song coming on the radio right as we were crossing the river. He knew then that one way or another, everything would be okay.
The song “That’s the Power” by Hillsong Worship is the next highlight on my soundtrack. In the fall of 2022 as I was healing emotionally, we made plans to attend our church’s fall retreat about 2.5-3 hours from home. It was to be the first trip for us in decades and one that would continue another 2.5 hours after the retreat to visit our hometown. My daughter-in-law, Taryn, was fervently praying for me to have a breakthrough and be able to make this trip. She sent me a link to this song and said she felt that it was my anthem for the retreat. I love all of the lyrics, but my favorite are “oh, there’s a faith that stands defiant; it sends Goliath to his knees. And I’ve seen as praise unraveled shackles right off my feet”. I love this so much because it actually happened! The shackles that held me in place for so long have disappeared!
After dealing with agoraphobia for 30+ years and battling cancer, our first trip to Michigan was one of the most joyous occasions we’ve ever experienced. We had the great privilege of seeing our son and daughter-in-law in their element and of visiting their church, which was a plant from our church in Carbondale. At the beginning of their service they play “House of the Lord” by Phil Wickham. I already knew the song before we went to Michigan, but it was the perfect description for how I felt walking into that service! “There’s joy in the house of the Lord, there’s joy in the house of the Lord today, and we won’t be quiet; we shout out Your Praise”. I never want to stop shouting His praise for everything He has done!
Next on my soundtrack is the song “Who I Am” by Ben Fuller. I was already loving this song when we made a trip to Galesburg to see my family. But on this particular trip I had a conversation with my brother Mike about songs that had been especially important to us at that time. The connection we made over this song was instantaneous and one that I will remember forever! “Everything has been changing, you haven’t left a stone unturned. Anything I’ve been facing, oh, I’ll keep standing on your word. In the water, take me under, fill my lungs to speak your wonder. You brought me out of the darkness I was made for more.” This song fills me with so much joy and if you haven’t listened to it yet, you should!
Perhaps no song has been as impactful to me in this healing journey as “Fear is Not my Future” by Maverick City. For years I had resigned myself to the fact that fear would indeed my future. And my past. Because for decades it had been my reality. But then God healed me and the words “hello peace, hello joy, hello love; hello strength, hello hope, it’s a new horizon” became my new reality. What a worshipful song! “Fear is not my future, You are, You are. Sickness is not my story, You are, You are. Heartbreak’s not my home, You are, You are. Death is not the end, You are, You are”.
Most of the songs on my soundtrack are played on Christian radio. On the station I listen to most, WBGL, I often hear stories about how the music they play reaches people at just the right time and with just the right message for what they are going through. That has been the same for me time after time. No matter where you are, I imagine there is a Christian radio station near you and I encourage you to listen. You may hear exactly what God wants you to hear and it might even change your life!
I could go on for days about music and its impact in my life. I hope you’re encouraged by the songs I’ve shared. Please reach out to me and let me know how music has impacted you and/or share a favorite song with me.
PS) Here are some other songs that have meant a great deal to me over the past year and a half:
Yes I Will by Vertical Worship
You Keep Hope Alive by Mandisa and John Reddick
Out of My Hands by Jeremy Camp
Keep Me in the Moment by Jeremy Camp
Brighter Days by Blessing Ofor
Worthy of My Song by Phil Wickham
God is in This Story 
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