A Little Surprise, Unveiled...

First of all, I want to wish this sweet boy a Happy 9 Month Birthday!


Now then, as promised, I'm sharing with my wonderful readers the little surprise I mentioned last week. I told you we were having Chase's dedication at our church yesterday (Sunday) morning, and I had a pretty sweet little surprise up my sleeve. Well, here's the deal:

For Chase's dedication, I prepared a video montage and needed the perfect song to go with it. Well, as you may imagine, it was very difficult to find a song that says, "my baby was born with half a heart and has made it through more obstacles and difficulties and pain in 9 months than most people will see in their lifetime." It was weird: the idea crossed my mind to write a song, but I shrugged it off, considering I'm not a songwriter, or singer, or composer or whatever.

But I'd lay in bed at night, wishing I was asleep, but instead hearing phrases in my head that express what I was feeling in my heart. This happened night after night until I finally grabbed my iPhone (in the dark) and started writing down these phrases in my Notes app. It never was really a complete song; just a few lyrics here and a few more there, random night after random night, until one day I finally decided to give it a go and see what happens.

I sat down at my piano (for those of you who know me, you know I've been playing the piano for over 15 years) and thought through those phrases I had typed up. I started thinking through the lyrics more, connecting the missing pieces, not paying any attention to rhymes or rhythms or anything else that a "professional" music writer would care about. I just put my heart on paper using words. Next came the music. I thought through the lyrics in my head and played some random melodies on the piano, waiting for something to sound "right" (although I couldn't explain what "right" would sound like). After a couple of hours (broken down into 5-10 minute segments, compliments of two small kids at home), I finally had something that I felt would work. I met with the music minister at my church (he's awesome!) and he had some great words of encouragement as well as some wonderful suggestions for improving the song even more. Before I knew it, I was recording the track at our church one afternoon, about 2 months after the lyrics started showing up in my heart and head. With his help, I now had a music file I could use for Chase's dedication video.

So that's how this all came about. Without further ado, please enjoy Chase's dedication video, featuring my first (and only) song, written, accompanied and performed my little ol' me. And please remember, I'm NOT a singer so the "quality" of the vocals is nothing to brag about. Just listen to the words and you'll hear my heart expressing the journey God placed my family on when He blessed us with our little miracle/Rock Star, Chase.

((lyrics posted below))

Promise of Peace
© 2010
Music & Lyrics by mom2lo

Verse 1:
How do I begin
to tell you of the love
that awaited your arrival in our world?

Our lives would be complete
once you took your first breath
and we brought you to the home where you belong.

But before we knew your name,
we heard devastating news.
Our lives would never be the same.

And God said,

Chorus:
Rest in Me
Trust in Me
For I know the plans I have for you my child.
My peace I bring
in the midst of the storm.
You'll find hope
in My promise of peace.

Verse 2:
For months we prayed for you
and the healing we desired,
but it wasn't in the plan God had for you.

We prepared the best we could
and trusted with the rest,
knowing God would always meet our every need.

We knew He had a purpose
for this challenge we would face.
Yet we trusted Him and rested in His grace.

And God said,

Chorus:
Rest in Me
Trust in Me
For I know the plans I have for you my child.
My peace I bring
in the midst of the storm.
You'll find hope
in My promise of peace.

Verse 3:
The day that you were born
I was overcome with fear.
Would you make it through all that lay ahead?

I waited anxiously
for a chance to hold you son,
afraid each moment could be your last.

But I never should have worried,
you were held in His hands --
a miracle before our very eyes.

And God said,

Chorus:
Rest in Me
Trust in Me
For I know the plans I have for you my child.
My peace I bring
in the midst of the storm.
You'll find hope
in My promise of peace.

Bridge:
And as I watch you now,
growing stronger everyday,
I'm so thankful that I heard the Lord say,

Chorus:
Rest in Me
Trust in Me
For I know the plans I have for you my child.
My peace I bring
in the midst of the storm.
You'll find hope
in My promise of peace.

For the record, there is a copyright on file for this song (lyrics and music) with the U.S. Copyright Office. In other words, please don't reuse or distribute this song without my written approval/consent. However, I would be honored for you to link to this post to share it with other families to whom this song may minister.

God bless!