Every Season

My most favorite singer/song writer of all time is Nichole Nordeman.  I will never forget being at Sam's Place at the Ryman (the event Gary Chapman used to host). Scott and I hadn't been married for very long and he came home one night saying he could get discounted tickets to the show through his work.  We had nothing better to do, so we went.  I think the big headliner that night was Point of Grace (which is funny because now our ZOE producer is John Mays who also produces them... small world).

Anyway-- there are always the "small" acts who open up for the big names.. Gary started to announce a newcomer to the Christian music scene... She has just won a songwriter competition in LA and had just arrived from Santa Monica-- Nichole Nordeman.  She would be playing the title track "Wide-Eyed" off of her first CD.

 

She walked onto the darkened stage and sat down at a grand piano.  When she began to play and started to sing those powerful lyrics, I was hooked.  I went out that very night and ordered the CD off of the internet.  I remember going to church the next day and telling Randy our worship leader that I had heard the most amazing singer! 

 

Nichole, with her lyrics and music, has always spoken to me.  She can put into words in such a powerful way the exact way I am feeling.  I have always tried to spread the word about how amazing she is-- so, I will now, too-- you can check her web site out at www.nicholenordeman.com.

 

She became a new mom to a baby boy last summer-- yet another thing I have to love about her! 

 

One of her songs has really been in my head this week-- "Every Season."  It is a song about how God is continually working in all areas of our lives, in every season of our lives.  I guess I feel like that is what I am struggling with now.... Trying to see how God will work in my life during this season of motherhood and "stay-at-home"-dom. 

 

Life is so interesting-- It is always changing and God is always leading us into new "seasons" of His choosing, whether we recognize it at the time or not.  I just pray that I will be able to see Him at work now instead of having to see it in hindsight.  I really want to know Him and to be using my gifts in ways that glorify Him instead of pursing things that aren't in "season."

 

Check out Nichole!  I will be happy to lend out some of her CDs!     

 

 

Every Season by Nichole Nordeman

Every evening sky, an invitation

To trace the patterned stars

And early in July, a celebration

For freedom that is ours

And I notice You

In children's games

In those who watch them from the shade

Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder

You are summer

 

And even when the trees have just surrendered

To the harvest time

Forfeiting their leaves in late September

And sending us inside

Still I notice You when change begins

And I am braced for colder winds

I will offer thanks for what has been and what's to come

You are autumn

 

And everything in time and under heaven

Finally falls asleep

Wrapped in blankets white, all creation

Shivers underneath

And still I notice you

When branches crack

And in my breath on frosted glass

Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter

You are winter

 

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced

Teaching us to breathe

What was frozen through is newly purposed

Turning all things green

So it is with You

And how You make me new

With every season's change

And so it will be

As You are re-creating me

Summer, autumn, winter, spring