Why Write a Song?

I’d been asked over and over and over if I wrote…I’d say, “oh no, I just enjoy interpreting what someone else has already written”.  Not a bad answer, but it wore thin, and God finally got my attention.

When Paul passed away and I made the decision to go back out on this singing/speaking ministry, I found myself having to do everything.  I did all the booking, packing, setting up, tearing down, travel plans, correspondence and all office duties…along with trying to have a minute here and there to spend with friends in an attempt to build a new life as a single woman.  I would give myself the excuse, concerning songwriting, that I just didn’t have time.  I even said to God several times with confidence that if I had some part-time help, I could possibly have time to concentrate on writing.  Well, one day THAT part-time help came along…what was I gonna say now???

Then one morning I was sitting at my kitchen table involved in my morning devotions’ time and the thought went through my mind that it seemed something had changed in me.  Well, of course hopefully it had!  Why did that thought refuse to leave?  I kept hearing it over and over…”Ann, you’ve changed inside, there’s something moving inside of you”.  I wrote it down, as I often did when worthwhile thoughts came across my mind in devotions.  The next morning I saw those notes again.  It occurred to me that possibly there might be a song there??? Could I dare even begin to “go there”? 

I kept writing and writing morning after morning, then one day I decided I should do something with those words that really didn’t take on much “shape”..just pretty good thoughts.  I called a friend of mine who was involved in publishing (who I trusted to not hurt my feelings too much) and asked if she’d read something I’d written and let me know if there was anything to pursue there.  I faxed it over to her…and to make a longer story than you want to hear a bit shorter, she and another friend of mine worked on those lyrics, adding music and helped me come up with a pretty good song…MY FIRST, entitled “You’re Moving In Me”.  It was also my first song to be recorded. 

Now I understand why Dottie Rambo would refer to her songs as her “babies”.  I’ve come to realize that no one can really tell your “story” the way you can.  So, can I challenge you to not hold back from telling your “heart’s story”?  Who knows….could be that God has several stories in you.  Don’t let the story die.  After all, I think God would jump up and down with you in your excitement as you see how your words and music can make a real difference in someone’s life. 

Writing has made a huge difference in mine.