I am pretty much a super fan of country music.  But let’s face it…there’s a lot of trashy country songs.  Hiding among all the trash however, there are some good songs out there.  Unfortunately, they are hard to find.  I’ve only listened to country music for a couple of years, but here’s a compilation of some clean, family-friendly songs that can be used both to spark discussion and to just enjoy.  🙂

Behind the Clouds by Brad Paisley
Forever Road by Darius Rucker
I Hope That’s Me by Brad Paisley
I Loved Her First by The Heartland
It’s America by Rodney Atkins
Just Fishin‘ by Trace Adkins
Look What I Found by Chris Cagle
Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice
Love Who You Love by Rascal Flatts
Mary’s Song (Oh My My My) by Taylor Swift
Mr. Mom by Lonestar
My Front Porch Looking In by Lonestar
Somebody’s Hero by Jamie O’Neal
That’s When I Love You by Phil Vassar
The Man in Love With You by Rascal Flatts
Then by Brad Paisley
Things That Matter by Rascal Flatts
This by Darius Rucker
What a Beautiful Day by Chris Cagle

There is a partial list of some of the songs I have enjoyed over the years.  Any other recommendations?

-Bonnie

I recently added two new songs to my collection (gotta love free amazon mp3 credits!)…one of which was Dancing in the Minefields by Andrew Peterson.

The reason I love this song is because…it’s a real-life love song.  At the beginning, a young couple gets engaged and embarks on a journey of a lifetime…marriage.  How does the songwriter describe marriage?  It’s “dancing in the minefields” and “sailing in the storm.”  He acknowledges that life is hard.  Very hard.  But the solution?  Lay your life down for your spouse.  Cling to God’s promises.  After all, He gave those promises for just such a time.  There’s nothing to fear.

“So in the face of all this chaos, baby,  I can dance with you.”

I love it.   I love how it paints a realistic picture of marriage.  It’s not all the romantic glamour that the movies show.  But you still make it through until death do you part as you lean on God’s great promises and follow His commands to love each other, laying down your life for the other.

Marriage is a high calling.  I can’t wait to live out this real-love, life-long marriage with my sweetheart.

-Bonnie

“This” by Darius Rucker.

Yes.  I am a country music fan.

My routine when I get in the car is something like this: lock door, scoot seat almost all the way forward, buckle seat belt, turn on country radio station.

Which is how I discovered “This.”  It quickly became one of my favorite country songs.

I don’t know that Darius Rucker is a Christian.  But I love the truth in this song.  Every little thing in life works out perfectly…even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time.  In the song, he talks about things that “went wrong” in his life.  Difficulties he faced, changes to plans, frustrations he encountered.  The chorus always ends with, “Thank God for all I ever missed, ’cause it led me here to this.”

I love it.

I think about all of the things that I “almost” did after graduating high school.  Like how I considered going to a college in Lubbock, Texas.  Or how I began pursuing teaching overseas for a semester.  Or considering a job that would have required a lot of travel.  All were “serious” considerations.  If I had gone with any of those options…..would I be here right now?  Would I have gone to EBC, the college that has taught me, frustrated me, and grown me so much?  Would I have had the opportunity to spend so much quality time with my friend Jeanette, who also went to EBC?  Would I have been able to get to know my friend Cristina, who is an amazing friend and mentor?  Would I have become friends with Michael, fallen in love, and been planning my wedding?

Probably not.  And those are only a few of the things I would have missed.

It’s amazing how God does indeed lead my life.  Sometimes as I “just” live day to day it’s harder to see (or I forget to see) what He is doing.  But when I take the time to look back…..His hand is everywhere.

I love this song.  And I love my life.  And I am so thankful for how God has and is working in my life!

-Bonnie