I wrote songs for eight years before I had my first baby and pretty much all of those songs were heavy, serious, and melancholy. I tried my best to write happy love songs, but I couldn’t do it!
All of my attempts failed – until my daughter Lucy was born and I wrote her a song titled “When I’m With You”. As soon as I became a mother, I started writing all kinds of songs about sunshine and rainbows. It was quite a transformation.
Having children unlocked a part of my heart that I didn’t even know was there; and I’ve had the best time writing about it. In fact, I had so much to say about my babies that I wrote an entire lullaby album about my love for them … and then made another lullaby album four years later!
At the same time, I’m sure you know that parenting isn’t all puppies and glitter. There’s also the part of parenting where the glitter gets all over the house and finds a permanent home in the carpet.
When first-time parents ask for input, I like to tell them that when you have kids, you experience all the same emotions you’ve always had, they’re just intensified. The stress level goes way up, but so does the amount of joy and laughter.
During those hard times, when my kids push me to my breaking point, I remind myself of what an amazing privilege it is to be a mom. It’s a sweet gift from the Lord to take on the responsibility of loving, teaching, and raising kiddos. I get to be the one!!
Whether our days are filled with rainbows or glitter in the carpet, may God give us wisdom and lots of grace for the journey.
Watch the official music video for JJ Heller’s “I Get To Be The One”: