Lifesong In The Limelight/Catrina Bradley

I'm trying something new on Saturdays. I truly believe that a person's testimony, salvation or otherwise, is one of the most powerful expressions of the Christian faith. I thrive on hearing God-stories. When I had my blog giveaway/contest, I asked for testimonies based on songs affecting one's faith. Well, people submitted, and I was moved.

This is where I introduce you to Catrina Bradley. I loved the testimony she submitted, and well, she is a woman of many talents. She is a phenomenal writer with a HUGE heart for the Lord. That's why I chose her for my very first...

Sit back and allow Cat to minister to you today...Thank you, Catrina, for livin' your lifesong outloud! ;)

The Change
by Catrina Bradley

One song got me onto that infamous straight and narrow path. One song turned my life around, and truly changed the way I live.

Before I started listening to Christian music, I was a die-hard rock & roll fan. Classic rock, new rock, oldie rock – just rock me. I especially like to sing in the shower. I’m all alone, and the acoustics are awesome. The radio in our bathroom at that time used a dial to set the station. One day, I dialed in the classic rock station and jumped in the shower. It wasn’t until I was sudsy and dripping that the commercial ended and the next song came on. Instead of Z93, I had landed on that Christian station right next door. (Not the first time they’re only .4 mHz away.) The music was ok, but I was lamenting.

As I was rinsing the shampoo out of my hair, another song came on. This one actually had a pretty cool sound. I started listening. I might be able to get into this. I even had a bunch of that stuff he's singing about. Yah, I do that! I'm good

Wait. What did he just say?

I actually stuck my head out of the shower door, then turned the water off so I could hear better.

The singer was asking a question. “What about the change? What about the difference? …What about a life that’s showing I’m undergoing the change?”

Now, I’d been a believer all my life, but was seriously lapsed in the following part. I’d recently joined a Bible study group at work, and had become enamoured with studying and learning more about Jesus.

I kept listening to the lyrics. I was enthralled.

“If God’s Spirit lives inside of me, I’m going to live life differently.”

Wow.

I made sure I listened at the end so I could hear the artist’s name. That was the first time I’d ever heard of Steven Curtis Chapman. From then on, I started checking the station when I sent station surfing in the car, hoping to hear that song again. (It was only one tap of the search button from the classic station.)

Now days, I listen to Christian music pretty much exclusively. I have the CD and can listen to The Change anytime I want to. And my life IS showing the change.

THE CHANGE

Steven Curtis Chapman

Well I got myself a t shirt that says what I believe

I got letters on my bracelet to serve as my id

I got the necklace and the key chain

And almost everything a good christian needs yeah

I got the little Bible magnets on my refrigerator door

And a welcome mat to bless you before you walk across my floor

I got a jesus bumper sticker

And the outline of a fish stuck on my car

And even though this stuffs all well and good yeah

I cannot help but ask myself

What about the change

What about the difference

What about the grace

What about forgiveness

What about a life thats showing

I’m undergoing the change yeah

I’m undergoing the change

Well Ive got this way of thinking that comes so naturally

Where I believe the whole world is revolving around me

And I got this way of living that I have to die to every single day

cause if gods spirit lives inside of me yeah

I’m gonna live life differently

I’m gonna have the change

I’m gonna have the difference

I’m gonna have the grace

I’m gonna have forgiveness

I’m gonna live a life thats showing

I’m undergoing the change

What about the change

What about the difference

What about the grace

What about forgiveness

I want to live a life thats showing

I’m undergoing the change

Catrina Bradley grew up in Iowa, but now calls Georgia home. She is happily married to her much better half, has a wonderful 23 year-old daughter, and a precious, long-haired dachshund named Lady. You can find more of Catrina's writings at her blog, A Work In Progress and at Faithwriters.com.

In the Key of HE,