- Caedmon's Call - This CD was the soundtrack to my high school years. I loved it. This album was the sound of me driving to youth group in my car, driving through the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Yellowstone National Parks, and summers spent babysitting the Engle boys.
- 40 Acres - This CD was the other soundtrack to my years in high school and starting college. It is also a fabulous road trip soundtrack (particularly on stretches of long Texas highways). I've played this album more than any music I've ever owned.
Here are a few (of many) songs that have been significant to me over the years...
- Where I Began, 40 Acres - I get something new and challenging nearly every time I listen to this song (and I've been listening to it close to 15 years!). I always find it a poignant portrait of our relationship with God. I don't suppose I'll type the whole song, but every part gets to me. "But the one thing I can't get over now is the force of your will, Here I am again back where I began, and try as I may, I can't get away from you."
- Coming Home, Caedmon's Call - this is another song that has just spoken to me time and time again throughout the years. God's call for us to present ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) is tough. The lyrics (not to mention the powerful vocals) paint such a vivid picture of what this struggle is like. "You say you want a living sacrifice, well I am a burnt offering, crawling off the altar and back into the fire; and with my smoke filled lungs I cry out for freedom, but I keep chaining myself to my rotting desires; and I hate the stench, but I've swallowed the key, and with it stuck in my throat, can you hear me? I'm coming home, I'm coming home!"
- Faith My Eyes, 40 Acres - This was sort of my theme song during the six months I spent in New Zealand. After dreaming of traveling the world, and finally realizing that dream, I realized how hard it can be to be away from family and good friends. I faced doubts I'd never faced before and feelings that I'd never anticipated. This song encouraged me so much during those six months and pushed me to pursue God in a way I never had before. "Keep on coming, these lines on the road, and keep me responsible, be it a light or heavy load, and keep me guessing, are these blessings in disguise? And I'll walk with grace my feet, and faith my eyes..."
- Mistake of my Life, Long Line of Leavers - In high school and the first semester of college, I dated a guy from school/church and we were serious. After a year and a half though, I began to sense that God had something different for me. It happened to be my 19th birthday when I knew I had to break up with him. He brought me a gift when I went to see him -- Caedmon's Call's new album Long Line of Leavers -- and it played in the background of my car throughout the evening as we talked. It was tough, but the moment I pulled out of the parking lot and drove away, Mistake of my Life began to play... "I'm in love, never been so sure of anything, but then again, it could be a tumor in my brain, to beckon me into thinking that we were meant to be, either way, I'm about to shock my family and my hometown again, cause this time I'm leaving. Once I'm gone, I will not look back. I've got to trust this is right..." There have been few moments in my life where I've had such clarity. I knew I had done the right thing.
- Sacred, Overdressed - Fast forward a number of years, and I'm a wife and a mom to two little kids. This song resonated with me in a deep way. It encapsulated perfectly all of the emotions that come with being a mom. Being a mom is so much more significant that I've given it credit for, and it also reminded me to appreciate these dear years with my children. "The children are sleeping but they're running through my mind; the sun makes them happy and the music makes them unwind; my cup runneth over, I worry about the stain... teach me to run to You like they run to me for every little thing... every thing is sacred..."
What songs have played a significant role in your life? Do certain "eras" of your life have a soundtrack?
I love this post! We are CC soulmates. Just fast forward a touch on where I was in life. In fact, I bought myself 40 Acres the day I successfully interviewed for my first teaching job! It was my reward. Coming Home is my all time favorite CC song, and that album remains my favorite too, though there have been many gems of theirs later on... for example, "The High Countries" is achingly beautiful and very different from everything else Danielle has ever sung. Same with "Manner & Means" - oh, just a rich song! I have also leaned on the worship songs of In the Company of Angels II, all these later years of my life. Their album about missions in India, Africa, & South America (can't remember title?) is a great journey, too!
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