Soundtrack Saturday

It's been a while, but here are the next songs.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat

But always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small

When you stand by the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Living might mean taking chances

But they're worth taking

Lovin' might be a mistake

But it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart

Leave you bitter

When you come close to selling out

Reconsider

Give the heavens above

More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

"I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack. I love this song simply because it's about dancing. I LOVE to dance. But, obviously more important than that, is it's message. It's about always being in awe of God's creation, no matter how "important" you've become, and to LIVE life, despite the risks. Take a chance. I actually have a very literal example from my life. The summer after I graduated from college, my roommate came home to Minnesota with me before we started our trip to Europe. One of our teammates was getting married. I went to the wedding (gasp!) stag. My roommate's fiance was at training and she was in the wedding, so we were both single. No big deal right? We were having a great time with lots of friends. Until, of course, the "slow songs" played. During one such song, I was sitting by myself at my table (everyone else was coupled up and dancing). A guy came over and asked me to dance. I knew who he was, his girlfriend was a classmate. A nice guy as far as I knew, but the whole thing made me uncomfortable. Not in a "I'm a strong woman, I don't need a man" kind of way, but in a shy, embarrassed, "Please don't feel sorry for me and feel obliged to do this" kind of way. I think I actually said no multiple times, but somehow was dragged on the floor. This is exactly what I DON'T want my girls to do. So what if he felt bad for me? He was being a nice guy. But more importantly, why not dance when some one asks? Life is to be lived and enjoyed! And I hope my girls always take the chance and DANCE!

The second song is "Amazing Grace" by LeAnn rimes. I originally had chosen a version by Charlotte Church, but due to technical difficulties, I went with this version. I love that it's a capella and the song itself, of course, is beautiful. But it's also a "family" song. My dad loves it and when we were little, we'd always get excited if they sang it at Mass. So in addition to sharing the wonderful lyrics, we're sharing a little bit of family history by passing this song on.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now I'm found.

Was blind, but now I see.

'twas grace that taught my heart to feel

And grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

When we've been dead ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Then when we first begun.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now I'm found.

Was blind, but now I see.

*Soundtrack Saturday is a (somewhat) recurring series where I share songs that are the soundtrack to my life. Currently, I am sharing songs off a cd I made for my girls.