I became an American Idol fan during season 4 as Carrie Underwood boosted her way on to the national season. The following year, I was drawn to Mandisa, a big, black girl with big pipes and big testimony for Jesus. Simon, the notorious, critical judge, had made a comment about Mandisa's weight which was aired on national television, and which Mandisa viewed with a roomful of her friends. (OUCH, SIMON!!!) During the selection of the Top 36, Mandisa was able to confront Simon on his "weight based remark." She blew everyone away with her response. To quote her as best I can, she told Simon that she had forgiven him for his remark because Jesus had forgiven her for all she had done wrong. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it was in that room. She made it known right there she was Christian and was going to make no apologies for it.
Mandisa made it through to the Top 12. :) I do not know which week it was, but the contestants were told to pick a song from the past three years to sing. Mandisa chose Mary Mary's "Shackles(Praise You)," a Christian artist and very Christian song. I was blown away again! Not only does she tell Simon that she's forgiven him because Jesus has forgiven her, she goes on a national stage and sings about Jesus setting her/us free! You go girl!! However, one week later, Mandisa would be voted off. But that was not the end of Mandisa. She has now come out with three CD's and is still singing about/for Jesus.
My hubby and I moved to Huntsville in 2007 and started the long process to find a church. (This is the South so there are lots to choose from.) Eric & I felt led to Willowbrook Baptist and a specific Sunday school class. We've met some great people there, and some extra special ones in Billy & Rebecca. When we joined the class, I was pregnant with Ethan. Rebecca was also pregnant - just a few weeks behind me. Ethan was born in April 2008 and in May we were awaiting the birth of Andrew, Billy & Rebecca's son.
Jumping back in time a bit, Ethan was extra special to us because the week I found out I was pregnant with him, our good friends in VA lost their unborn son (Matthew) when he was six months along, still snug in his Mommy. Finding out I was pregnant that same week was bitter-sweet to say the least. We decided to honor Matthew's life by giving our son Matthew as middle name.
With the foundation laid, let the story continue....
Rebecca was given a baby shower by some friends and one of those friends knew that Rebecca was a Mandisa fan. She wrote Mandisa to ask if she would write a blessing for Rebecca's baby shower. Of all the fan mail Mandisa receives, she chose that e-mail to read and graciously replied with a blessing for Rebecca. Just weeks before Andrew was due, Mandisa was in Huntsville at another baptist church and Rebecca was able to meet her.
It was nearing the end of a work week, when Rebecca started to feel some labor pains. She was scheduled for an inducement in just a few days, but it appeared as though baby Andrew wanted to come early. Billy & Rebecca headed to the hospital thinking that they would meet their boy earlier than expected. However, tragedy struck. While the nurses attempted to find Andrew's heartbeat they could not. God chose Andrew to skip this world and join him in
Heaven.
This sounds like such a sad story, but hang on...
The friend that wrote Mandisa to ask her to write a blessing for Rebecca, contacted Mandisa again to tell her that Billy & Rebecca had lost Andrew. Mandisa set about to find songs that could comfort Billy & Rebecca and was searching particularly for a song from Andrew's perspective in Heaven. She could not find one, so she decided to write a song ("You Wouldn't Cry," or as we like to call it, "Andrew's Song") for Billy & Rebecca.
The blessings that have come from this are numerous. You'd have to ask Billy & Rebecca about them all, but I know they could go on and on for hours. Rebecca was asked by Mandisa to be in the video for this song and next month, she and Billy are flying to Dallas to hear Mandisa sing live the song written for their little boy.
While I know Billy & Rebecca struggled with many emotions after the loss of their son, it was the power of Jesus that got them through. If ever I saw Jesus and God's grace in anyone so vividly, it has been Billy & Rebecca.
Mandisa's new CD, Freedom, which includes "You Wouldn't Cry (Andrew's Song) comes out March 24. To hear her CD visit:http://www.imeem.com/mandisaofficial "You Wouldn't Cry" is #11. I ask that you take a few minutes to listen to this song. It's powerful!! Before you do, please keep in mind that even though the circumstances of both Matthew and Andrew are extremely sad, if we really could see them in Heaven (or any loved one) we really "Wouldn't Cry" for them.
I hope you will share this with anyone you know. Not only is the CD awesome, I know God is gonna use Andrew's short life in his Mommy's tummy through the song, "You Wouldn't Cry," to be a blessing and encouragement to SO many people.
Oh, our friends in VA that lost their son Matthew have since had a beautiful baby girl, Hannah Renee AND Billy & Rebecca are expecting a little baby this Fall. Praise Jesus!
An article about Mandisa and her upcoming CD: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/11/mandisa/index.html>
Lyrics - You Wouldn't Cry
You Wouldn't Cry (Andrew's Song)
All you saw was pain
All you saw was rain
But you should see me now
Moments filled with tears
Lasted all those years
Disappeared some how
You never said goodbye
On your knees you cry
You're still asking why
But blue has never been bluer
True has never been truer
Honey never tasted so sweet
There's a song in the breeze
A million voices in praise
A rose has never smelled redder
The sun has never been brighter
If I could find the right words to say
If you could look at my face
If you could just see this place
You wouldn't cry for me today
What you think you see
Isn't really me
I'm already home
You've got to lay it down
'Cause Jesus holds me now
And I am not alone
Your faith is wearing thin
But I am watching Him
And He is holding you too
And blue has never been bluer
True has never been truer
Honey never tasted so sweet
There's a song in the breeze
A million voices in praise
A rose has never smelled redder
The sun has never been brighter
If I could find the right words to say
If you could look at my face
If you could just see this place
You wouldn't cry for me today
You wouldn't cry for me today
Oh what may seem like years
Will just be a moment
Oh the day will come
When I'll show you where you're going
I can't wait to show you
And blue has never been bluer
True has never been truer
Honey never tasted so sweet
There's a song in the breeze
A million voices in praise
A rose has never smelled redder
The sun has never been brighter
If I could find the right words to say
If you could look at my face
If you could just see this place
You wouldn't cry for me today
You wouldn't cry for me today
You wouldn't cry for me today
You wouldn't cry for me today
You wouldn't cry for me today
9 comments:
I knew the second I started reading your post I probably needed to get ready to get out the tissues and then I bawled through that beautiful song. I'm trying to decide if I should send it on to my mom or not. Anyways, ugh. Very touching and encouraging song but still hard to hear since I have a momma's heart.
Yes it is! We balled in our SS class when we were given a sneak preview. Still...I just know this song is gonna be a help to so many people!
Another reason why I also posted this is because I would love to see Mandisa sell lots of CD's! She has been so amazing to our friends. It's one way we can "repay" her, in some sort of way.
Thanks for posting this, even knowing that it was coming soon, the song was more amazing than I could have imagined!
Wow, I have goosebumps that won't go away!!! That is incredible...thanks for sharing that!!
I first heard this song on K-love in Phoenix, AZ March 24. I listened with great interest to the reason for the song because my sister died Aug. 18th, 2008 and i still miss her.
When i heard the song for my first time, i felt my worn, bruised heart beginning to heal just a bit. I had the question asked to me, "if i could call my sister home from heaven would I?" My answer was always no. Her diseased body so whole she could run with the angels and dance with Jesus.
Listening to the song and thinking about my sister's point of view has made a huge difference in my life. Thanks so much Mandesia for writing a truly unique song that means much to me.
This song was written for healing. I'm so glad that you found it to be so!! I know Mandisa would be too, as well as our friends who lost their son Andrew.
I've loved this song since the first time I heard it. Unfortunately, one of my aunts passed away this morning. But this song has really brought comfort. I thank God for Mandisa and her choice to answer the call of God upon her life. She has really made a difference in my life.
Beautiful Song. Theron Keller told me of your site and Andrew's Song. I too am a bereaved parent. I lost my son Kevin at the age of 3 1/2 Years. It is the worst pain we bereaved parents can experience. Thank you for sharing and God Bless you.
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