My Annual Christmas Letter - 2009

I love country music. I get a big kick out of listening to the lyrics of these songs, and while some are downright silly and make me laugh, others touch my heartstrings, or speak to me of something in my own life.

As a little girl, I remember my father’s voice bellowing from the bathroom every morning as he sang, “I’m walking the floor over you. I can’t sleep a wink it is true. Still hoping, still praying as my heart breaks right in two, I’m walking the floor over you.” He would also sing as he kissed my mother, and then lift me into his arms upon entering the house after a day’s work, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray.” I can still hear his voice as I hum these tunes in my mind.

There are songs of current artists that have become my favorites. One line from a Sugarland song, “Girl, you’ll remember what your knees are for”, jumped out at me the first time I heard it. Such a simple statement, it reminds me of the importance of prayer and turning to God when things don’t go my way. I also like Rodney Atkins’ “If you're going through hell, keep on going, don't slow down, if you're scared, don't show it. You might get out before the devil even knows you're there.” These words teach me courage and perseverance and keep my focus on God. Kenny Chesney sings, “And today you know that’s good enough for me. Breathin' in and out's a blessin' can’t you see. Today's the first day of the rest of my life. And I’m alive, and well.” This song guides me back to a sense of gratitude for my blessings and thankfulness for my life and health.

One of my all-time favorites is Garth Brooks’ song, “The Dance.” In this tender ballad, he sings of a difficult memory: “And now I'm glad I didn't know the way it all would end, the way it all would go. Our lives are better left to chance. I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance.” Even with painful things that come along in life, I certainly don’t want to miss the dance!

On the lighter side, I identify with Toby Keith as I contemplate growing older: “I ain’t as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.” I also sing along with Brad Paisley about having fun and blazing new trails as we “get a little mud on the tires.” As the years pass, I am aware in many ways that I’m not as young as I once was, yet I want to always be ready to get out there and have some fun!

So, what’s the Christmas message in country music? I’m not sure that there is one. What I do know as I write this annual letter is that these songs remind me of who I am, whose I am, and that another year of living is something to celebrate. Join me in singing along with a little TWANG in our voices thanking God for the sunshine he sent our way in the person of Jesus, who promises to make us happy when skies are gray, and the assurance that “You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you.” He’ll never “take my sunshine away.”

Merry Christmas!