Teri Fode Photography

feeling so inspired tonight.

[note: this entry edited to add lyrics to song referenced below...scroll to bottom]

Just came home a bit ago from the Nichole Nordeman "Brave" concert…and it…was…AWESOME.

In life, lots of things inspire me. For color and design? Pottery Barn and Target. Scrapbooking? Heidi Swapp and Karen Russell. Photography? Audrey Woulard and Skye Hardwick

And Music?

The amazingly talented Nichole Nordeman.

She has this way of making you really turn your thoughts to God in this beautiful, musical environment. She was nothing short of fabulous and awesome.

Prior to each song, she shared the story behind the lyrics that she had written. One song in particular was very moving. It moved me (and many others) to tears:

She explained that the song was about 2 very small children: Miles and Alex. Miles was sick. Very sick. In fact, he was in desperate need of…a heart transplant.

Alex was an energetic little boy, full of joy and happiness. And then, one day, a tragic accident claimed his little life.

The song was about the two mothers. They had both been talking to God…Miles’ mommy had been praying: dear God, please help my little Miles…please make him well. Please intervene and miraculously deliver the donor heart that he so desperately needs.

Alex’ mommy had been talking to God about her own son…and the fact that she didn’t understand how God could allow such a tragedy to claim the life of her beloved child. She felt desperate to understand why such an unthinkable thing could happen.

Nichole then, at this point choking through the story, explained to us that this had all occurred at the same time and in the same city. Both families lived in San Francisco.

In fact, both families were…

sitting in the audience tonight.

Including…Miles.

You see, little Miles was at the concert tonight, sitting next to his mommy and daddy, with the little heart of Alex miraculously beating inside of him.

And they were sitting next to…Alex’ family.

Without Alex.

Now…can I just tell you that this was the most incredible moment I’ve ever experienced at a concert? She told this story BEFORE she sang the song. So, we, the audience, were listening to the words and imagining what it must feel like for both sets of parents…

One family was thanking God for the miracle of life that was preserved. The other family was praying that God would sustain them through a life that no longer was.

So imagine the emotion that ran through the audience during the actual song.

God is amazing. His timing is amazing. And this story reminded me that we don’t have the answers to everything. We don’t understand everything. We are not in control of everything…but God is. He is ALWAYS in control and works in very mysterious…and miraculous ways.

He is the great "I AM".

The entire concert was so moving. Every song had an incredible story behind it.

I came home so inspired and so uplifted. Just had to share.

EDITED TO INCLUDE SONG LYRICS:

"For Miles Coulson and the beautiful heart of Alex that lives on…"

"MILES"

There’s a mother on her knees / Somewhere in San Francisco / Looking up and begging please / God, do not forget me now // Her baby’s on machines / ‘Cause his heart can not keep beating / And she knows what desperate means / ‘Cause the clock is ticking down, down // And hope rushed in like waves / That someone might just save the day / And if heaven’s just a prayer away / Then why, she cries, would God not change things? // It may be miles and miles before the journey’s clear / There may be rivers, may be oceans of tears / But the very Hand that shields your eyes from understanding / is the Hand that will be holding you for miles // There’s another mother on her knees / Somewhere in San Franciso / Looking up and begging please / God, do not forget me now // It happened like a dream / He was laughing, he was running / Then she heard the sirens scream / When her little boy fell down, down // She had never known / The agony of letting go / But a few miles down the road / His heart would find a baby boy just in time // One moment someone whispers thank you / Just then another heart cries, how could you? / When Jesus, who sees us, He says I hear you / I’m near you //  It may be miles and miles before the journey’s clear / There may be rivers, may be oceans of tears / But the very Hand that shields your eyes from understanding / is the Hand that will be holding you for miles

-Song lyrics by Nichole Nordeman

God is so good.