"Everyday Life"
Commonplace occurrences, I have found, have the most extraordinary effect on me. More than ninety percent of my songs have been inspired through some ordinary event in the course of an average day.
What makes the ordinary turn to extraordinary, however, is my little "one-eyed wonder" sitting in a recliner in the living room. Her name is Eulalia, and she is my mother. There are those, who are familiar with some of my songs, who probably think I am gifted. They hear phrases in my songs and wonder, "Now, how did she think to say that?"
The truth usually is that I didn't think of it at all. God had a plan for me. He chose me to write songs, and He provided the means by which I could fulfill that calling; He gave Eulalia to me, to be my mother, mentor, inspiration and collaborator. While I am not particularly colorful or clever, she is. Not only that, but she has deep spiritual insight, coupled with the heart of a bonafide prayer warrior. When you mix these assets with long years of experience and set them down in your living room, you have a never-ending well of deeply moving ideas from which to draw.
I always knew Mother was unique. Everyone who knows her says that Eulalia is the most unforgetable character they have ever known, and God allows me to draw from her well daily. Twenty years ago, a few years after Daddy passed away, she built three rooms onto the back of our house. She is an invalid, now. She is blind in her left eye, crippled and bent from osteoporosis, and her memory is almost non-existent-except when God wants me to write a song that requires a story from her past.
I have thought often why God would leave her here so long. But out of this broken little body and mind come some extraordinary labors. Not a day goes by that she doesn't pray for sinners. She prays for the cold, the hungry and hurting, and she labors in prayer for God's men; those who are chosen and anointed to stand behind the sacred desk.
It is my contention that the power of her works has not diminished with the ravishes of old age. And so God leaves her here because He knows He can count on her to be faithful to the task for which He called her.
Then there are the songs. About a year ago she was, as usual, in much pain.
She said, "Let's pray, Kyla."
As she bowed her head, her first words were, "Lord, just want to thank you for bringing us "Safe Thus Far."
How hard was it to write this simple little song after that? God's presence was so big in that room I fairly floated to my piano. It was just another ordinary day with Eulalia and the Lord.
Kyla Rowland
http://www.kylarowland.com
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 01/31/2003
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Comments: 4
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Kyla, God's greatest gifts are often wrapped in torn & broken & pieced packages. Thank God you never threw away the gift because of the wrapping. I was so reminded of my grandmother who is the reason I am involved in music today. I remember riding down the elevator in the hospital with her. Full of doctors & nurses & visitors. She had a captive audience of about a dozen and preceded to tell them all about what Jesus had done in her life. What will we do when these prayer warriors leave this earth for Glory? It's been 10 long years since her passing & I still weep today because I miss her so much! Thank God for the "ones we'll never forget"! Fathers Blessings to you in your journey & keep listening & writing. We all love you!
Kyla, I read an article a few days ago about "no more songs about mama" and I had to laugh. I agree with the writer that our music should point to the Savior; but I couldn't help but reflect that for so many of us, "our mamas" point the way to Him. That must be why so many writers feel inspired to write about their mothers! God sends the songs, doesn't He? Thank you, Kyla, for letting the Lord use you and your wonderful Mother to help point the way toward Him. Great article! Great songs!
Kyla, what a blessing you and your family are and have been to the body of Christ! My music, too, was inspired by my Mom, Cora (Nanny) Parker. She taught my sister and me to sing harmony at a very young age. I attribute my love for the Lord and gospel music to her!
Kyla Rowland is without doubt the most talented songwriter in gospel music. I myself have been in this business for 16 years and I am also a writer, and I can relate with her on her story of everyday life, and how her inspirations come. Sometimes a phrase that someone speaks or a sermon title may spark and idea for a song with me, like many songwriters. I have sang and recorded Kyla's songs along with my own for many years, and people are really blessed by the inspirational lyrics. Her songs have touched my life more than anyone else in gospel music. My all time favorite Kyla song is one she wrote many years ago entitled, "Insured Beyond the Grave". If you have never heard this song, you need to hear it, it would definatly be another #1 song. Traveling sometime ago as pianist for Eddie Deitz and Mountain Gospel, I was introduced to many songwriters and heard some of the best songs in the business, but NONE can even compare to the heart wrenching lyrics of Kyla Rowland. Kyla, if you read this, please know that you have your best fan right here in North Carolina, David Smith. Keep on writing!!!
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