Amy Grant is an artist I grew up listening to. She captured my heart, like so many others when she became a national phenomenon, with her song “Baby, Baby.” Before I left Texas, the Kennedy Center Awards were on and Amy Grant was one of the winners. What a gift to my spirit to listen to people singing her songs and hearing how her life has impacted so many.
You know who else was there?
Michael W. Smith.
MWS is lost in Christian Nationalism and far-right wing politics, but he still shows up for Amy Grant. He stayed when she got divorced too, and the evangelical world did not approve of that at all. Now Amy will be officiating the wedding service for her niece who is gay. That’s a big deal. MWS is not running away still, and she’s not running away from him either. They are a national treasure Christmas concert duo. MWS showed up, played and sang with a bunch of people who are very much opposed to his views at this event, and it was beautiful.
This is not a call for unity when there is none, but there’s something happening that might be transcending this moment we are in.
Wynonna and Ashley Judd did this too. Brandi Carlile even sang at the Judds concert. Wynonna was the headliner as Naomi tragically died by suicide. Wynonna is far-right, the rest singing with her in Naomi’s place are not. People were watching this moment where our politics and religious beliefs are being set aside bc who we are to each other is way more than what we have been taught to believe.
It reminds me of what Dr. Atlas said on Glennon’s podcast: if you can save a relationship, you should. It’s not good for our mental health losing all these relationships that are so important to us.
I feel like this happened for me in Texas. I needed this as much as Kimberlyn did.
I got in the car and turned on Amy Grant essentials. Here are some lyrics that spoke my heart:
She’s got her Father’s Eyes
Her Father’s Eyes
Eyes that find the good in things
When good is not around
Eyes that find the source of help
When help just can’t be found
Eyes full of compassion
Seeing every pain
Knowing what you’re going through
And feeling it the same
There is Life Out There 