Perhaps one of my biggest disappointments in gospel song writing didn’t involve having a song rejected but, rather, an invitation issued to me to co-write a song with another song writer. A group was touring through our area performing. My husband and I attended a concert and, since I never miss an opportunity to hand out a demo, I gave one to the group member who handled incoming songs. This wasn’t a local or regional group. As I mentioned, the person was also a song writer, one whose name you would know. Completely of their own accord, with no hinting or prompting from me, they suggested we write a song together. They said we could do it over the Internet since we didn’t live in close proximity to each other. This was beyond any expectation I had for the evening. I was absolutely over the moon! Having a song co-written with this person would have been a big boost to my song writing career. I couldn’t believe it had happened. My husband and I drove to their concert in another location the next night so I could ask again if they were serious in the suggestion they had made. I was assured the offer was sincere and they weren’t joking. That was several years ago. Every time I approached this person on the Internet asking about co-writing a song, I was told they were too busy. After a couple of tries, I dropped it. I was crushed.
The above experience is similar to one I’m sure many song writers share of approaching artists at concerts or events such as the National Quartet Convention. The artists seem very excited about a song or songs you have pitched and you walk away very encouraged only to have it all come to naught.
I could go on and relate more heart breaking experiences but I promised I would get to the encouraging part. I did not get into gospel song writing with any delusions about becoming rich or famous. I got into it because I felt called by God and my desire is to be obedient to Him. I want to help spread the gospel. I write gospel songs to accomplish this. My husband and I sing the songs I write and we work on the melodies together. I find this process, in and of itself, to be a blessing from God and to be very fulfilling. If other groups sing the songs too, that’s wonderful because the gospel will be shared with more people than my husband and I are able to reach with our songs and that’s what it is all about for me—sharing the gospel.
At times gospel song writing is a heartbreaking, disappointing pursuit. The gospel music “industry” is not for the faint of heart. You have to realize there is the “business” component to it and you have to be able to take rejection and keep on writing and pitching. I have seen people who this rugged process has turned bitter--but I refuse to be one of them. When I am tempted in this area, I remind myself this is the Lord’s work I’m about. Sometimes His work is hard but I must focus on the blessings—big and small.
Now, I will share with you one of the most encouraging things that has ever happened to me as a gospel song writer. It happened early on in my career. I thank and praise the Lord for allowing me to be used in it and I returned to it every time I am tempted to ask myself, “Why am I still doing this?!?!”
A number of years back, my husband and I attended a small church. Unknown to us, the man who lived in the house directly across the street from the church was a chronic alcoholic. One of the men who attended the church befriended the man and started bringing him to church. He came each Sunday and people treated him in a loving manner, though they could smell the alcohol heavy on his breath. One morning as my husband and I sang a song I had written based on my husband’s testimony, “It Has to Happen to You,” this man came to the altar, knelt in tears and gave his heart to the Lord. I learned that morning how the Lord could use the gospel songs He inspires and enables me to write to change people’s lives. I also learned how difficult it is to sing with a lump in your throat and tears streaming down your face. |
