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My husband Don and I have had the privilege of raising eight kids together over the past twenty years. They were little when we created our big, beautiful, blended family; now they are grown and out of the house\u00a0 \u2026\u00a0 mostly.\u00a0Because of our family\u2019s history, we wondered: Could God use us again? We know He loves us and we know He forgives us, but to USE us to encourage and bless others? Maybe we missed out on that window.<\/i><\/p>\n
But interestingly, as each of the kids has begun to step into their own giftedness over the last couple of years, we have drawn closer together. We all \u2014 first individually and then corporately \u2014 began to say, \u201cMaybe God does <\/i>have something special for us<\/i> to do.\u201d And so we began to share our family\u2019s story whenever we had the opportunity.\u00a0The opportunities came in little ways at first, but this year we have the incredible honor of sharing our family and our family\u2019s story on the stage at Women of Faith.<\/p>\n
When I was invited to be part of Women of Faith about ten years ago, it was the beginning of some tremendous healing for me, and really for our whole family.\u00a0At the time, we were emotionally bruised by some life choices. Truthfully, after my first appearance with Women of Faith I didn\u2019t expect to be invited back. I expected judgment but found grace. Because of the love and grace shown to our entire family, we grew to feel that we were no longer castoffs relegated to the \u201cisland of misfit toys.\u201d We began to believe that we, too, had a purpose, a plan to give us \u201ca future and a hope.\u201d<\/p>\n
Music has always been a cornerstone of our family and has been for multiple generations. And so it just seems natural for us to gravitate to music and song as the mode to share our story. Having the honor to sing on the Women of Faith stage and simply remind people they are not forgotten \u2026 there truly are no words. And for our kids to want<\/i> and choose<\/i> not only to be part of music, but to be part of their parent\u2019s lives? We just cannot express the joy and gratitude in our hearts.<\/p>\n
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One dear friend said, \u201cYour family\u2019s story is heard in the undercurrent of your song!\u201d\u00a0They have a point: When we sing \u201cIt is Well With My Soul\u201d we feel the truth of it in every fiber of our beings. In fact, every time our family comes together to share God\u2019s love through music my soul gets a little more \u201cwell\u201d as I think about what He has brought us through and the love He shows us every single day.<\/p>\n
Right now you may only be able to see the beginning of your family\u2019s story, but you can trust that God is the Great Composer who is still writing your song. He IS faithful. He can use YOU. And when the day comes that you\u2019ve learned the song of your family\u2019s story \u2026 Sing it, girl!<\/i><\/p>\n
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Sandi Patty<\/a> is the most awarded female vocalist in contemporary Christian music history with more than 30 albums to her credit. She\u2019s authored several books as well \u2014 but is most proud of her husband, Don, their eight children, one adorable grandchild who has stolen her heart.<\/p>\n