Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory.
Oscar Wilde
My mom had a very long, painful experience with kidney disease and renal failure. She was in almost constant pain for as long as I can remember. The amazing thing is that unless you knew mom very well, you'd never know she was hurting. Her magnetic smile, gracious manner and quick wit weren't diminished by her physical problems. The summer after I graduated from high school mom passed away. My dad, my brother and I each struggled, in our own way, to come to grips with the fact that God had allowed such a sweet, loving, caring person to suffer so much and then die at the young age of 42. For myself, I came to realize that while mom's death wasn't God's idea, he can and does use trials in our lives to strengthen us, to refine us and to bring us closer to him. I wrote "It Takes Rain" several years after her death, and I sing it as an encouragement to those how are struggling with those same questions.
In October of 1984 Cindi and I moved to Grenada, Missippi. Grenada is a small town, but it is huge when compared with Water Valley, home of the nearest Adventist church. When we first walked into the Water Valley SDA Church, there were less that 20 people in attendance. Neither of us had been members of such a small church. It wasn't long before we realized what a blessing this little church family would be in our lives. Because even though they were small in numbers, they were large in faith and in vision. It was during our time at Water Valley that I wrote this song. Water Valley taught us that we don't have to be part of a giant army to do great things for the Lord.
Tavis was the kind of kid you liked right away. He was energetic, funny, had a quick wit - and in my role as a leader in his Pathfinder youth group, more than a little mischievous. For Travis the future was bright.
I feel that I have led a blessed life. I have not been called upon to sacrifice very much. But I have good friends who have been asked to sacrifice greatly. On May 19, 2007 their son, Private First Class Travis Haslip, was killed, along with 5 other men from his unit, when an IED exploded near his vehicle.
Watching Travis' parents go through that experience, I was inspired to write this song - as a tribute to those who have sacrificed so much for their country and also as an encouragement to the families left behind.
I don't know where Travis' heart was when he died - I don't know about his walk with the Lord. But standing there, watching the military precision of his funeral and looking on the faces of my friends, I wanted to tell them not to focus on the loss, but on the hope. I wanted to ease their sorrow with the knowledge that God is stronger and that in the end He will prevail. I wanted to wrap my arms around them and remind them that this world is not our home.
One thing I remember about my mom is that she would sing, mostly to herself, a little made-up song as she did her housework. She wasn't a singer and never sang in public, but that little song is a memory I'll always treasure. Every mother has a "song" she sings to her kids - her special way of showing love, care and concern that becomes a part of who they are. That God-given influence should never be taken for granted.
I wrote this song to sing at my 20th high school reunion. The comparison between school reunions and our heavenly reunion is inescapable. I can't wait until we can be reunited with friends and loved ones! And just think - we get to share that with Jesus himself. What a joy!
My older brother, Richard, has had a profound influence in my life. We are four years apart, and there were years that we had very little in common and didn't get along all that well. But I remember very well, some special times when he included me in events even though he didn't have to. That's what Christ did for us - He included us (saved us) even though He didn't have to. Praise God for Brotherly love.