Every now and then I have an experience with my children that takes me back to the days when my mom had a fabulous wardrobe of leotards and large, geometric earrings and drove a sweet, earth toned stay wag that was named after a dinosaur.
Yesterday morning on the way to the kids’ school, we were listening to the Passion: Awakening CD. “How He Loves” was playing when we pulled into the parking lot and I brought the car to a stop right when the song was getting really good. Some of you musical people know the name for that part of the song and are saying it to me like I can hear it through the computer screen. Anyway, y’all know which part I’m talking about.
It seemed like such a shame to turn off the car before we got to sing “And we are His portion and He is our prize! Drawn to redemption by the grace is in His eyes. If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking. And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest. I don’t have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way that He loves us…” Jackson threw off his seat belt and climbed in the front seat and we sang it together with all our guts.
I remembered being only yay big and in the back of that station wagon, sitting behind my mama’s big 80’s hair and belting out some Amy Grant and Larnell Harris. Nothing in life was so urgent that we couldn’t finish “Angels Watching Over Me” before we got out of the car.
*****
This old church directory photo from FBC Victoria, Texas, came into my life this week. There is no end to how much joy it’s given me. When I look at it I feel loved.
For some reason “I Have Decided” (Amy Grant) popped into my head yesterday. I was belting it out in my head just as I would have in my car as a 16 yr old. ๐
And Mrs. Beth… that is some AWESOME hair.
Hey Amanda!!! Howdy! You are making me laugh so hard! First, with your song story! Then, with the picture. Oh. I love me some 80’s hair!! What I do in the car is just raise my hands – and if it’s a nice day and the window is down, I raise my hand outside the car. I probably look like I’m waiting for Scotty to beam me up, but alas. What to do? I love to worship. Thanks for the post!
Such fun! I do love me some 80’s hair too. I got my bangs cut after years of having 90’s long layers. And now, I am looking at the blessed revelation that bangs can do so many things, and reach new heights ๐ I am thinking, I could pull off some 80’s hair, in 2011!
Also the worship in traffic, one of our worship singers at church and I were talking last night about Cece and Yolanda (who she says takes her to a different place). Its like if I’m in traffic and dancin, it is what it is. Groove with it people!
Hi Amanda!
That is such a sweet story about you and Jackson singing.
Love that pic – you were such a beautiful girl! – And you still are beautiful, you just wear your hair a bit different. I love the part, “my mamaโs big 80โฒs hair.” Hahaha
Thanks for sharing!
“How He Loves” was sung at my wedding last summer — my remarriage to my first husband. I definitely do have some regrets, but this song says it perfectly. What are regrets when we think about how God loves us? His grace allows us new beginnings. And how great that your little ones are singing this truth and getting it in their hearts when they’re so young!
That expression on Amanda’s face is priceless. I wonder what she is thinking about the photographer.
I like your big hair! I still have big hair–actually way bigger than I had in the 80’s. My Mother who has been a professional hairdresser for 47 years is a little disturbed by it, but she loves me nonetheless.
The moments where you break out in song and nothing but praise and an overflowing heart are precious indeed. Our cups just aren’t big enough to contain His glory. When we get a tiny glimpse of Him, we can’t help but let it spill out all around us!
Thank you for sharing this picture!! How so very precious! Such a cute story of you singing with Jackson. I, too, remember the days singing Amy Grant’s “baby baby” at the top of my lungs. I recently got her greatest hits in a Christmas gift exchange…what a hoot!!! So fun to hear from you, Amanda!
how precious is that? hearing my kids belt out praise songs (and they are teenaged boys) is one of my favorite treasures.
Right on!
there is nothing quite like an automobile worship service! and church directory photos are the proof that we can be forgiven:) (I actually have one that my three children and I are all wearing lace collars!) Oh How He LOVES US!
Amanda girl – sweet post and then the picture —– tears and more tears . . . memories . . .
I just blogged about my two year old singing “How He loves” last night! He only sings the chorus (since he’s only two) but oh how beautiful those words are coming out of a child’s mouth! And yesterday in the car he and I were singing it over and over when my one year old decided to chime in! She was just making “singing sounds” but it was so awesome for me to have both kids singing praises with me!
Oh Amanda, I totally get that! We have “Rock Out Parties” just about every day, to and from school. It tears me up every single time my 4 year old sings/screams/rocks about our precious Jesus. No sooner are we waving our arms and belting out our praise than the lump grows in my throat and the tears stream uncontrollably down my cheeks. My daughter now knows the difference between happy and sad tears, and she’ll say I’m crying because her song is so beautiful. Oh if only Annie knew just how right she is! I am tearing up now just thinking about the “Rock Out” I will get to do with her in Heaven, right there in front of our Most High. Praise Jesus.
Amen, siesta. I have a ten year old and there’s nothing more precious than listening to his jam sessions and watching him playing the air guitar. These are such treasured memories in the making.
Way back when (when he was still shorter than me) for my boy and I the song was Clay Crosse, “Saving the World”. i can still hear his little 3 year old Arkansas accent singing at the top of his lungs “Comes down to man, dyin’ on a cross, savin’ da woold!”
Thanks for the memory ๐
Our sing a long with momma was to Sandi Patti, day and night we sang those songs and danced as well as any hillbillies I know.
These are memories that Jackson too, will take with him forever! Annabeth too! I’ve felt that way many times when I hear Travis sing ‘In Christ Alone’!!! I have it by other groups and it’s just not the same. Maybe because I’ve heard him sing it many times in person, it goes straight to innermost self and it takes the rest of the evening for the goosebumps to go away!!
Love the family photo! Beth’s hair reminds me of mine back in the day!
Bobbie —
I feel the same way about Travis’ ‘In Christ Alone’. There are many moving, wonderful songs that I love, but none of them get to the very heart of me like this one.
I have instructed my children that when I have gone to Jesus they are to play ‘In Christ Alone’ by Travis at my funeral–played as loud as the church will let them play it . Hopefully I will get to sing along in my heavenly voice – I certainly can’t do it justice with my earthly one! : )
That is definitely on my last list, too! ๐
Moves me every time. All I need to hear is the beginning of the song and my spirit rejoices in the praises to come. I’m so with you, Siestas!
Amanda,
I grew up in Victoria. Left for college in Nacogdoches, TX in 1980. I used to sing at all denominations…even Catholic. Very involved in the charasmatic movement that was just beginning at that time…especially Business Mens Fellowship. I traveled quite often with Rachel Cook (Burchfield). Such good times. It was the very beginning of the various denominations, ethnic groups, etc. understanding and working together in things concerning the Lord and how to live for Him. Great times! I feel so privileged to have been a part of it…a pioneer in a sense. ๐
I don’t recall ever singing at FBC in Victoria but I had many friends that attended there. I do remember hearing about your mom’s aerobic classes and how fun they were. Small world…:)
I’m sure your mom understands this statement…”Don’t dispise small beginnings.”
Oh Amanda,
I feel like we had similar mornings. My 7 year old Caleb and I have been listening to David Crowder Band’s Church Music all week. I bought it especially because of How He Loves. Earlier this week, we watched the youTube video of it and just had so much fun watching the band jam during the part you described…we love the guitar player on the left side of the screen!
Happy Friday!
wow that post made me cry. i’m not even gonna crack on the big hair. me and my boys sing with all our guts too. my little shawnie has down syndrom (just turned 4) and his favorite song is “revelation song” and he can sing “holy holy holy” like nobody’s business. he sings it best in the car.
thanks for sharing today. i always look forward to your posts.
The ladies ministry in my church is hosting a Measureless Love retreat tonight. 70some ladies will be singing How He Loves!!
Go God! may Your FAME be known!
I love it!! What a great post.
What memories that brings back! This post makes me want to jump in the car and sing with my kids. lol.
Awesome!
My girls will be so glad to see that they were not the only ones who were subjected to feathered 80s hair by their mother sporting the same! LOL I loved this post Amanda.
Baha! I LOOOOVE Beth’s hair!
You just brought back major memories of singing along with Psalty the Singing Songbook. And we have a video somewhere of me on a stool in the kitchen when I was 4 singing “Heeeey Dude, don’t make it daaaaad!” I thought I was so great at Beatles songs back then!๎
That’s hilarious!
This little post makes me all KINDS of happy ๐ You are so right – there’s nothing quite like that heart-swell as we hit the “good part” of a great praise & worship song. Thanks so much for sharing!
When I look at your photo, I see a young couple, “no mere mortals” as Lewis would say, and their precious girl. And what God saw in all of this was I Cor 2:7 NEB “His Secret Purpose framed (in a photo) from the very beginning to bring you all to your full glory.” And you are letting Him do just that.
That is so cool! Awesome Jesus!
Thanks for sharing that memory. My oldest son is 31 today so I’ve been thinking about all of the things we did when he was little and singing in the car tops the list! Oh, and I love your momma’s hair — I used to have some just like it! Thanks again!
Love it, Love it, Love it,,,,, I do the same thing. I can hardly stand to get to work and have to shut off the car and miss the rest of a song. But this song. The radio just keeps going up and up. …..
I had the privilege of spending the afternoon with my dear friend’s 4 year old yesterday as we drove home from dropping her mama off at the airport. I was delighted as she serenaded me with “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” a capella and quite on pitch … it took me back to the days when my daughters were little ~ we too belted out Amy Grant at the top of our lungs in the car. My daughter called me one day to tell me she had just heard an AG song and it reminded her of me ~ talk about feeling loved! Thanks for sharing Amanda.
Tina Marie, that little girl knows Jesus better because of her time with you. She knows Jesus loves her. She knows that she is valuable and lovable to others. She is learning and experiencing being part of the church body. Her mother is grateful beyond words. (wink wink)
Harbor Mom, so glad God made us Siestas! I love that we get to share this season of life together and I am blessed beyond words, because spending time with your family helps ME to know Jesus better. God is so good to us!
My daughter’s first penance this week. As everyone was arriving the teen choir was having practice. They were singing “Open The Eyes of My Heart” when I walked in. I got chills! It is one of my favorite songs:) We were blessed to hear these beautiful young voices while we waited for the rest of her class to arrive.
Thank you for putting up the family photo! I have our church directory picture from when I was 10 hanging in my basement. My dad’s eyes are closed and my hair is sticking up, but it is so precious to me as it’s the only family photo I have pre-divorce.
The whole Moore family was blessed with great hair! In the early 80’s, my entire family was subjected to Toni home perms. We were one hot, frizzy mess. I felt just a twinge of 80’s jealously gazing at a whole family of good hair.
Ha! I remember!
Oh BETH!!!!! How happy your hair makes me! YOU ARE DARLIN! Its such fun, I absolutely love seeing it long. And full…BIG hair!
Amanda, the part of Jackson singing, I love that! My mom and I were listening to Cece Winans last night coming home from church. Talking about Gospel music and how we would do road trips from So. Oregon to San Diego when I was growing up and blare Leon Patillo. “Ok Jesus, help us get there” she said, ‘remember?’
When we got home, we were in our driveway, but just had to listen to Alabaster box full thru before going in. She was in tears and deperately looking for a kleenex, (that she didn’t find till after the song was over – sometimes those tears just need to fall)
LOVE ME SOME JESUS ALL THE TIME! Holy is HIS NAME and HOLY IS HIS LOVE!
Makes me smile, sweet One, oh indeed. Hang on to those precious times with your Mom, they will carry you far. Hang on even tighter to Jesus, He’ll carry you even farther!
Lovingly-
me
Yolanda – my buddy in Jesus! Love ya!
That picture has given me great joy today! Oh church directory pictures. . .if only we could all share them on here! I bet we’d have some good laughs at ourselves!
Amanda,
I loved the post – good to hear from you!! We have let Hannah’s hair air-dry all her life til about a month ago, it was not dry yet near bedtime. I dried it for her, and her curls got big enough to “fill a peck bucket” as Memaw says. She liked it, and I told her she looks good with big hair. I went on to say Mrs. Beth likes big hair. Now she wants a “style” every night. Hannah likes to sign along with the praise music in the car.
LOVE IT!!!!
My dear mother taught aerobics in the ’80’s too. Yep, never will forget those leotards….and what about the unitard??? Funtimes, and she still would look great in them ๐ We didnt have Christian radio back then (boone docks), and I am so thankful to have KLOVE to listen to with my children. My 5yr old son has Down’s and sings EVERY SONG on the radio. As soon as he is buckled in his car seat he yells, “turn it up!”
thanks for sharing, we’ve missed you!
I have a three year old son & “How He Loves” is one of his favorites! We listen to it often! Now my 19 month old tries to sing along! ๐ Nothing like hearing your children sing about how Christ loves them!
I love this post! Thank you for sharing!
Love it! Thanks for sharing. Hope you and your loved ones are doing well. I KNOW it is a big job to parent two little ones. Someday they will be sharing such a dear photo and remembrance with others. Happy New Year, dear one. Love, An Aunt Siesta
Awwwwww!!!! I love that! I wish when Nichole was younger I had been playing those songs on the radio… I remember her sitting in the back seat belting out “I got friends in low places”….. unfortunately you all probably know what words were next! LOL! She was really good at hitting those low notes though. Praise God her heart belongs to Him now!
Some of my best praise and worship moments are in the car!! I love belting out the first 4 songs on the CD Moving Forward (Jentzen Franklin Ministries w/Ricardo Sanchez). But the best times are singing praise and worship songs with my soon-to-be 15 year old and we LOVE How He Loves Us!
I love it. Good to see you Amanda. Hello and hope your all well and good. Love ya
Pam
Yesterday morning my son (7 1/2) was reading over his AWANA verses. This year for Sparks he has to memorize Psalm 23. So precious to hear him saying those words out loud knowing they are going to become planted in his heart. Anyway, on the way to school, Mark Schultz came on K-LOVE. I told Ray to listen to the words, and his response was, “Oh yeah, I was just reading that!” (From He Will Carry Me)
You are a breath of true, deep down soul filled beauty…miss you on this blog.
PS. Loved hearing from you! The picture is so sweet!
Amanda,
Thank you for this sweet sweet post!
Blessings,
michelle in VT
So delightful to hear a child’s voice raised in praise to God. What a moment. ๐
Love the family photo. Thanks for taking the time to share today. It made me smile.
Absolutely beautiful!
how sweet:) i love driving with my grandbabes…singing along to Seeds Family Worship! there is no sweeter sound than the voices of my precious babes singing the Word of God at the top of their lungs…i love it!
I am glad to hear you are doing that. People used to babysit my daughter and ask me why she sings all the time. We went through the Psalty tapes and the Sandi Patty tapes. This really brought back such great memories. The hair, oh I remember trying to get my to look like that, but I have straight hair, not a spring or hint of curl anywhere, so it was really a challenge for me. Thanks for sharing. It is fun thinking about when my children were younger and what we did. Now, my husband just ask if I ever get tired of singing. I just say no and keep singing!
LOVE IT!! Thank you for sharing your memories.
What a great story and memory! That pic is priceless…we just took new church directory pics this week, lol!
This post made me smile so big! When my girl was in the 7th grade (she’s 21 now)we used to play Nicole C Mullen’s “Can I Get a Witness” as loud as we could stand it and sing at the top of our lungs before every one of her basketball games. ๐
I still have that song on my IPOD and love running to it.
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah …..