The Playlist

“One song from my playlist is the cost of admission,” I joked with my teenage sons as we headed to school. What started as a self-serving ploy to hear one less rap song at seven in the morning has turned into a highlight of my day. Almost always, my choice is a contemporary Christian song. With the years racing by and less opportunities to nurture my kids’ faith-lives, it brings me joy to share even a few sacred minutes with them.

As this new piece of our morning routine persisted, I quickly added more songs to my Favorite Christian Tunes playlist. And with an admittedly awesome selection at my fingertips, I realized that I was rarely listening to my go-to radio stations or stone-aged Pandora channels. My list seemingly had everything I needed- it was enjoyable, convenient, and predictable. Done.

Eventually, as I was effortlessly singing through the songs in order, I considered what I was missing. I was no longer discovering new songs or artists, and I had disconnected from my stations’ inspiring messages that would often fuel and encourage me. I opted for familiarity at the cost of growth. A common, sometimes unintentional tale.

With another year behind me, despite needing glasses to see just about anything, many things about life have become more clear. One of those things is the ease of complacency, doing what we do simply because it’s what we do. Even if all is well and we are enjoying our routine and our direction, shaking things up a bit and adding new songs to an already spectacular playlist can be invigorating.

During this season of Covid disruptions, I began to recognize my own need for renewal and I took some steps toward a giant transition. Nearly two decades ago, when we started our family, my husband and I made the decision that I would primarily stay at home with our kids. This plan worked extremely well for us and it has been an immeasurable gift that I am grateful for each day. After countless volunteer hours, part-time gigs, continuing education credits galore to keep my counseling license current, and the amazing opportunity to grow as a writer and spread a whole bunch of kindness, I am now stepping back into my work as a counselor. It’s what I’ve been calling my Act II, a goal I have had for myself from the start.

Last year, I went back to school to update my school counseling certification. (Whoa. A few things have changed in the classroom in 20 years!) With a challenging but healthy expansion of my comfort zone, I’m wrapping things up this semester and I’m wildly excited to unpause my career.

This blog has been a wonderful, enriching part of my journey over the past six years, as have all of you! I’ll definitely stop by to check in and I’ll keep you posted on a few ideas I have brewing for future writing projects. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out at contact@lisabarrickman.com or pop over to the Kindness Works page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/KindnessWorks/.

Signing off with love and all good things~

Role reversal! My kids took this picture of me on my first day back to school:)

For those of you who enjoy contemporary Christian music (or would like to check it out), here are some faves from my playlist. Enjoy!

• Blessings– Laura Story
• Sparrows- Cory Asbury
• Starry Night- Chris August
• Old Church Choir- Zach Williams
• Waymaker- Michael W. Smith
• Truth Be Told- Matthew West
• Less Like Me- Zach Williams
• Battle Belongs- Phil Wickham
• Home- Chris Tomlin
• Weary Traveler- Jordan St. Cyr
• RELATE- For King & Country
• Glory- Matt Maher
• We Won’t Be Shaken-  Building 429
• There Is Power– Lincoln Brewster
• House of the Lord– Phil Wickham
• Amen– For King & Country
• Shackles– Mary Mary
• Believe for It- CeCe Winans
• God of All My Days- Casting Crowns
• Church (Take Me Back)- Cochren & Co.
• Thank You Lord– Chris Tomlin
• Come What May– We Are Messengers
• God Help Me- Plumb
• Everything- TobyMac
• Give Me Your Eyes- Brandon Heath
• Miracles- Colton Dixon
• The Light in Me- Brandon Heath
• I Wanna Go Back- David Dunn
• With Every Act of Love- Jason Gray
• My Story – Big Daddy Weave
• Love God Love People- Danny Gokey