Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Smoothing out the edges


We all have non-verbal signs we give off when we're having a rough day. A furrowed brow. Swollen eyes. Absentmindedness. Impatience.

I've been known to show all these things from time to time. But for me, my biggest non-verbal cue can be found in the music I'm listening to. If its gone a little melancholy, thats the warning flag. And if I dust off my Nichole Nordeman CD, then you know I'm really fighting a battle.

Well, this last week, I took five of the Nichole Nordeman CDs from the Spirit 105.3 archives. Just took 'em. As in "these are mine now." Nichole Nordeman lyrics are like my armor when I'm taking on some tough things. Her music goes so deep into my soul that I feel like all thats left are tears and Jesus.

Lately, this one song has been getting me through my days. If you haven't heard it before, you owe it to yourself to pick up her album. Or every album she ever made. Or, better yet, FIND HER (I think she lives in Texas) and BEG her to make more music. Its been years since I've heard new music from her, and I think she took a little time off just to be with her family. But in my secret dreams, she has a little studio in her house with just a piano and she writes music that we will someday hear again. :-)

River God

Rolling River God
Little stones are smooth
Only once the water passes through
So I am a stone
rough and grainy still
Trying to reconcile this river's chill

But when I close my eyes
and feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change
and change takes time

And when the sunset comes
my prayer would be this one
that you might pick me up
and notice that I am
just a little smoother in your hand

Sometimes raging wild
sometimes swollen high
never have I known this river dry

The deepest part of you
is where I want to stay
and feel the sharpest edges wash away

And when I close my eyes
and feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change
and change takes time

And when the sunset comes
my prayer would be just this one
that you might pick me up
and notice that I am
just a little smoother in your hand

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can SO relate to turning to music during rough times. For me, it's been my Natalie Grant CD lately. I know I have a Nichole Nordeman CD somewhere and will have to dig it out as I haven't really listened to it. I just think you are an amazing person and I love listening to your stories and all you have to say on Spirit. You are an inspiration to many!

Eva said...

Oh sweet Sarah...I pray that sunshine finds you again. I have no clue what it is that is troubling you but know that I am here, praying for you. I love Nichole Nordeman. I think my favorite is My Offering. I love belting that one out. I too would love to just listen to her play and sing. Can't wait for new music. Blessings my friend.

Jim Houser said...

Hi Sarah, i love your thoughtful ponderings. thankful to call you friend.

it is one of the things i am proudest of, the part i played in making sure the world met Nichole Nordeman. sweet nikki fresh. :-)

i love 'wide eyed,' i love 'seasons,' i love 'river God,' i especially love 'legacy.' but the song that still makes me cry every time i hear is 'someday.' it is like a balm for my often melancholy soul.

I believe in the rest of the story
I believe there's still ink in the pen
I have wasted my very last day
Trying to change what happened way back when

I believe it's the human condition
We all need to have answers to why
More than ever, I'm ready to say that I
Will still sleep peacefully
With answers out of reach from me until...

Someday all that's crazy
All that's unexplained
Will fall into place
And someday all that's hazy
Through a clouded glass
Will be clear at last
And sometimes we're just waiting
For someday

she's is amazing, prolific and delightful, our 23 day, 41 station odyssey is something i will always treasure. if i didn't know how happy she was being a mom, i would be even more bitter about not having her songs currently. but i hope on for the future. :-)

Felton/Casey said...

"To Know You" sung by Nichole Nordeman is what did it for me!!! It was one of the first Christian Songs that I had ever heard on the radio, and one of the very first Christian CDs that I had ever bought. It just drew me in! I too would love to hear more from her. Sorry that you are feeling blue! I go through those seasons too, but just know that the Lord works through you to bring light and encouragement to a lot of people out there. Blessings to you favored one of God!!!

Patricia said...

i LOVE nichole nordeman! i am always crying at one point or another when i listen to her. i completely understand your pull toward her music when you are in that kind of mood. she is my favorite christian singer!

Jill Iversen said...

Thank you for sharing yourself! You are beautiful. God loves you and thank you for being an encouragement!