my 2007 playlist

As I sit here marveling over the fact that yet another year has come and gone, I am amazed at all this past year has brought my way. I wanted a way to sum up everything, and so I decided to make a playlist of my favorite songs from the year- songs that will forever take me back to this period of my life. And so here is a list of my songs from this year. Some hold deep, personal meaning, others are simply fun songs that are tied neatly to my favorite memories throughout the year.

1. Much Farther to Go- Rosie Thomas
This song is a beautiful picture of this journey we call life. In both the new things (teaching, motherhood) and those things that I've done for years (marriage, friendship) I am constantly aware of how much room there always is for growth.
"I have much farther to go
Everything is new and so unpredictable"

2. All I Can Say- David Crowder
I know this is an old song, but at times this past year, this song has been the cry of my heart. So many times in my walk with God I become overwhelmed with my need to express my desire for surrender. And it is usually in those times that I have no words.
"this is all that I can say
oh, I know it's not much
this is all that I can give
that's my everything"

3. Heavenly Day- Patty Griffin
In February, I had the privilege of going to dinner with two beautiful friends from my past. I remember that night, sitting anxiously in my car wondering what the night would hold. Would it be awkward? Would we fall back into a comfortable place? I am so happy that I went that night. My life is richer and fuller because of these old friends. This song reminds me of them.
"I got nothing much to say
Only I'm glad to be here with you
On this heavenly day"

4. Stained Glass Masquerade- Casting Crowns
I heard this song early in the year, and I fell completely in love with it. As I have come to realize more than ever, our relationship with Christ is so much more than the "everything's awesome!" mask that we have such a tendency to wear. These lyrics became the anthem of my days, as I was challenged to admit my weaknesses and drop the perfection charade.
"But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be"

5. Everything to Me- Avalon
Again, I know this is an old song. But it will forever be in my heart the song that perfectly sings the story of my life. The speaker at our Ladies' Retreat sang this song as part of her message. As tears streamed down my cheeks, my heart cried out that He become my everything.
"I grew up in Sunday School
Memorized the golden rule
And how Jesus came to set the captives free...
He changed my life when he became
Everything to me"

6. The Boys of Summer- Don Henley
This one is just for fun. When we were in Nashville, the performer at The Wildhorse Saloon sang this song. I will never hear this song without seeing Kelly screaming "BOOMER SOONER!!!" at the top of her lungs. Did I mention he was from Oklahoma? And she didn't give up screaming that until he acknowledged that we must be from OK too? :o)

7. Hey There Delilah- Plain White T's
This song was on a CD that I burned for Jamie and I to listen to on our trips to Dallas to meet Nat. And even though it's a love song, I will always think of my friendship with Natalie when I hear this song- the fact that our friendship has stood the miles between here and Houston. Plus- I now have the bonus memory of seeing Chris Newkirk attempt to act out the word "delilah" as a flower during charades.
"A thousand miles seems pretty far
But they've got planes and trains and cars
I'd walk to you if I had no other way"

8. Grace- Phil Wickham
I have found myself praying these words when I have felt that I was failing. It is a beautiful prayer, asking God to come down and save us yet again. It reminds me that a day will never come (until the day He returns) that I will no longer need His grace. It must be what sustains me.
"Grace I call Your name
Oh won’t Your smile fall over me
I’m cracked and dry on hands and knees
Oh sweet grace rain down on me I need You grace"

9. Umbrella- Rhianna
This is just one of those completely catchy, totally overplayed songs that has attached itself to my memory as 2007. I know that years from now when I hear this song, I will see myself dancing in the car with Kelly as we drove to the church on her wedding day... or I will hear Jamie singing it in XXI forever while Natalie and I laughed.
"you can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella"

10. My Savior My God- Aaron Shust
This year has seen a LOT of heart ache. Not necessarily in my personal life, but in the lives of those I hold closest to my heart. Whether it was the breaking of marriages, the death of a child or any other number of things, I have wept for those I love. Through it all, I have had to remind myself that regardless of what I can see here on the earth, my God is in control of each of these situations.
"I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned...
My God: He was
My God: He is
My God is always gonna be"

Well, there you have it- my year wrapped up in 10 songs. If you read all of that- WOW! I did most of that writing just for my own memories! But if you did make it this far, and are now reading this- what would your 2007 playlist look like?