When it comes to motherhood, there is one guarantee in life—it's not going to be easy.
Day in and day out, moms juggle spending time with their children, maintaining a household and working ... a lot. Whether a mom works outside the home or stays home, the tasks are always demanding and endlessly rigorous.
For Shelley Breen, Denise Jones, and Leigh Cappillino, who make up the multiple-award winning trio Point of Grace, they know a thing or two about the juggling act.
"Choosing to Be Present"
For more than 20 years, Point of Grace have been on the road, in a studio, around the world singing, ministering and heeding the call placed on their lives.
"We can get in the rat-race of trying to be too busy," Denise said. "It's a constant battle to choose to be present in our kids' lives. That's one of my battles—not getting so busy on the stuff that doesn't matter ... and choosing to be present."
"We've missed so many birthdays, weddings, graduations," Leigh said. "But you know, my daughter was at one of our shows recently and talked with some of the people who were there. She told me how over and over again, she would hear people say what an impact our music has had on their lives. She said, ‘Mom, you're really making a difference.' That makes it a little easier to pack those bags."
And week after week after week, Point of Grace has done just that ... packed a bag, boarded a bus or a plane, faithfully walking out the path God has laid before them.
The Mission Behind the Music: Family
It's the kind of legacy that emerges only in the midst of utter dedication, great humility and a stalwart belief in the mission behind the music. It's the kind of legacy mothers build when they have been called. And faithfully, for more than two decades, these mothers have heeded that call and prayerfully stepped up to fulfill it.
Despite their destination or touring schedule, however, home remains their priority and it is truly where their hearts lie—a legacy that began in their childhood homes.
"I love being on the road, but I'm a homebody at heart," Shelley said. "My parents set such a good foundation for my sister and me. They were so diligent to make sure we were in church and had that rhythm in our lives. Growing up in a house whose parents loved each other and loved God taught me so much about loving people and making them feel special. My mom was super-selfless in that way."
"I learned my passion for people from my mom," Denise said. "She was always at church. She loved God. She was constantly loving people. Whether it's taking food by or visiting with someone ... I didn't appreciate it growing up, but now I can. I remember watching her read her Bible. She was desperate for God's Word to pour over her at all times. In hard and good times, I saw that my mom was all about recognizing truth and living by it."
God First, Family Second and Career Somewhere Down the Line
For Denise, Shelley and Leigh, truth revolves around God first, family second and career somewhere down the line.
"Having kids is such a good way to set boundaries in your life," Shelley said. "When your kids are in school all day, you only have a few hours every night for just a few years. You have to make the most of that time with them. My mantra is, if it makes a memory, then it's worth doing."
With children ranging in age from two to teens, the three women of Point of Grace are decidedly at varying stages of the parenting game. Denise, who has been married for 22 years, is preparing to send her children off to college. Shelley has a few more years with her only daughter, and Leigh is still celebrating their latest addition, a toddling 2-year-old.
A memory-making moment is vastly different in each of their homes, but is equally as important, precious and prized. All things considered, that these music veterans and trailblazers would put out an album now that recalls those many memories not only makes sense; it's a gift of nostalgia to everyone within earshot. And, be they originally Christian songs or not, this is the kind of music that awakens that spiritual yearning for home and refuge within each of us.
"A lot of these songs that were originally secular songs refer to home as a literal place on a map," Shelley said. "But the Bible tells us the longing for eternal home is set inside every heart. Some people search for it their entire lives."
The Bottom Line: Life Is Good
They also happened to create an album that celebrates God's favor in their lives and hearts and families.
So, when the tour bus rolls into town, it is with gratitude, humility and purpose that these ladies pack those bags and head out. While that departure is unlikely to ever be without some sense of motherly responsibility, it is equally as likely to be one made in the confidence of those who know they are walking the path that He laid before them.
"The bottom line is that life is good," Denise said. "We are celebrating all those moments that God's given us. I'm now watching us as women who are truly maturing in the Lord. Life is good because God is good to us. It's not always circumstantial; but even in the tough stuff, we're learning how to celebrate and appreciate life."
Article courtesy of HomeLife magazine.