The Inner Views of Gayle Cox

"The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, 

and He will make me to walk upon mine high places."

Habakkuk 3:19

(KJV)

In this wonderful world of blogging, I find it hard to remember how I met certain bloggers.

I just know God is faithful to orchestrate every, single acquaintance, relationship, and friendship

in the lives of His children.

He absolutely knows who we need and who needs us.

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

Proverbs 27:17

The precious friend I am interviewing today is one such blogger.

You will absolutely love getting to know her, 

becoming acquainted with her sweet spirit,

and reading the amazing testimony of how God's providential hand has guided her life.

The

of believer in Jesus Christ, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, friend,
 and lover of writing and words,

Gayle Cox.

Cheryl:  You often mention your parents in your blog writings. Can you tell us about your childhood? Were you raised in a Christian home? To what do you credit the special bond you have with your Mom and Dad?

Gayle:  I was born into a Christian home. My father was a pastor, and has been in the ministry for almost 70 years now. In a nutshell, my parents taught me how to live and how to love.

Growing up, I awoke to the sound of Daddy praying almost every morning. As a young child, I often wondered if God had hearing problems, because Daddy prayed loud enough to wake the dead, namely me. Some mornings, I wanted to throw him into a lion’s den for disturbing my sleep before sunrise. Didn’t he care that he was waking everybody up! And why did he have to call my name in prayer? What if I wanted to grow up and be the biggest sinner the South had ever seen? Couldn’t he just leave me out of it? No, dear Daddy never left me out of his prayers, and for that, I’m truly grateful.

Daddy will be 89 in May, and his prayers and Mom’s prayers continue going up on my behalf. Their physical bodies are aging and growing weak, but they remain immovable towers of strength in my life and are the epitome of unconditional love. Of course, being a preacher’s kid wasn’t always easy. But I consider my childhood a beautiful one, filled with good things, generous people and riches that aren’t found on Wall Street.

Cheryl:  Will you share with us about your siblings? What is it like to go through life with an identical twin?

I have two beloved sisters—one four years older and an identical twin. My older sister is very gifted musically. She has been a role model to me in many ways. She’s had her share of personal loss and pain, but she has never lost faith in God. My identical twin is also very gifted. Along with her musical abilities, she has authored three books, and has had impressive achievements in that field. She’s also suffered loss and pain, but she’s one of the strongest women I know, and she inspires me to be a better me.

Gayle's twin sister, Dayle, Gayle, and her older sister, Elaine

Going through life with an identical twin is something you really have to experience in order to fully understand the bond that begins inside the womb. In our case, the doctor heard only one heartbeat throughout Mom’s pregnancy, so I was a total surprise to Mom and Dad (and big sister). Mom says it was one of the happiest days of her life, and she says Daddy almost fainted when she told him the news. There are hilarious stories about us growing up, but that would require reams of paper.  If you’re truly interested, I share a few of our twin tales in my contribution to Chicken Soup for the Soul—Twins and More. My story can be found here.

Cheryl:  What would you say have been the biggest challenges to being identical to another person? What are the greatest joys it has brought into your life?

Gayle:  Twins are generally referred to by others as “the twins,” so I think the most challenging part of having identical DNA is finding your own identity and developing a stand-alone personality. For me, that challenge was most evident during the teen years. Although I could win any “fight” with Dayle, she had the more prominent personality, and I often felt invisible when we were together in a social setting or hanging out with friends. It was frustrating and often tiresome, trying to feel relevant, but struggles can make you stronger, and I came out of those turbulent years confident and tough.

Always having someone to play with growing up was beyond wonderful, and as we got older, we never had to cry or laugh alone. Scary situations were made easier with Dayle by my side, and funny situations were even funnier with her laughing, too. I wish every child could be so blessed, and I wouldn’t want to face a single day without my twin.

Cheryl:  How old were you when you became a Christian? We would love to hear about your Christian testimony. What drew you to Christ? Were there certain life events that led up to that decision?

Gayle:  As a preacher’s kid, I grew up going to church. I could quote the books of the Bible at a young age, and I knew countless scriptures by heart. However, going to church or quoting scriptures can’t save anyone, and I knew I needed a personal experience with God. Daddy’s prayers for my salvation took on an urgent tone as I grew older, and at times I could almost feel the burden he bore.

His prayers paid off on a cold New Year’s Eve night, when I was miraculously born-again and spirit-filled at the age of 13. It was a hallowed evening, one I revisit often in my mind, and it marked the real beginning of my life. I wish I could say that I’ve been a perfect person since then, but I haven’t, of course. Thankfully, God grants new mercies every morning, and he’s faithful even when we fail.

Gayle, with her parents, identical twin, Dayle, and her older sister

Cheryl:  What would you identify as being your life’s calling? How did you come to realize that this is what God intended for you to do?

Gayle:  I don’t know if I had a “life’s” calling, since seasons come and go, but when I was 17, I felt a strong calling of God on my life. I wasn’t sure what the call was, but one night, while kneeling in prayer at church, I surrendered to his will, and I knew I would be used in a special way. I had no idea just how special at the time, but a few years later, the puzzle would all come together.

Cheryl:  Can you remember the first song you ever wrote? How old were you when you wrote it? What events inspired you to write it?

Gayle:  I remember like yesterday writing my first song. I was 15. My sisters and I sang together in church, but I had never even thought of writing a song.

It was summertime. We had been living in Texas for a couple years, and we were in the car, traveling to a church camp. As a family, we never chatted a lot on trips, and as I stared out the window in the silence, I suddenly started singing a little ditty in my head. In a few minutes, it became a full-fledged song, and I sang it over, and over, and OVER, until I could sing the words without faltering. At that point, I exuberantly announced: “I just wrote a song, ya’ll!”

Well, that woke everybody up, and someone asked if I’d like to sing it, and I exuberantly did.

This is where I always get chills and teary eyes, because I truly believe God was testing me that day, with the glorious gift of songwriting in his hands, and I’m so grateful (so very grateful!) he found a willing vessel in me. Give Gayle the song. She’ll sing the song. No hesitation. The song was entitled, “Oh, What A Great Day,” and my sisters and I added it to our repertoire right away. Sadly, I have forgotten most of the words, but I feel certain I have them tucked away somewhere in my plastic bins of treasures.

I wrote another song that year, and then another one when I was 18. However, the word “songwriter” still hadn’t entered my head or vocabulary. But that was about to change.

At the age of 21, I was asked to officially join my older sister and her husband who were ministering on the road, full-time. We had sung together at special events in the past and toured the West Coast for a few months, but they were looking for a committed, full-time partner.

Saying yes might seem like an easy thing to some, but it wasn’t easy for me at all. I was at the prime of my life, and there were many things to consider. However, after a time of prayer, I surrendered to the traveling life, and within a few days, songs began flowing out of me like water. It was then that my calling became clear: God had given me the gift of songwriting, and now I was positioned to use it for his glory and watch it grow. We would spend the next four years together in full-time ministry, during which we recorded three albums and encouraged thousands along the way.

Cheryl:  How many songs have you written?

Gayle:  It’s hard to put a number on them, but well over 200.

Cheryl:  Can you share with us about the ones that have been professionally recorded? How did it feel to hear your original songs being sung by someone else?

Gayle:  Having my music recorded by someone else was never a goal of mine while traveling. I knew God had given the songs to me for a specific purpose, and I didn’t want to get caught up in anything else.

However, in 1982, after I married and moved away, life changed for everyone. We still did some singing on a part-time basis, but the logistics were harder to pull off. During that time, I pitched a few tunes and continued writing. I eventually formed a mixed chorale called “Redeemed.” A young man offered to fund a recording project for us, so we hopped a plane to Nashville and recorded 10 of my songs.

Later, I traveled to the National Quartet Convention with my publisher and pitched some of my music to various artists. I never considered myself a Southern Gospel songwriter, so I was surprised (and thrilled) to hear that the Kingsmen had put a tune on hold and would be recording it soon. They were the first quartet to record my music. It was entitled “A New Life” 
and they did a great job. My songs are like my children, and I love it when others love them, too. 

The Kingdom Heirs also recorded my songs: “Invincible Faith,” and “Makin' A New Start” which they took to #26 on Southern Gospel’s Top 40. Being able to watch and hear them sing the song live at NQC was a moment I’ll never forget. I loved their arrangement, and the performance was electrifying.  Other groups you might recognize who have recorded my music are: Greater Vision (I Don't Want To Go Back), The Wilburns (Tell It Again), and The Mike Speck Trio (Looking for Him Any Day). Louisiana’s Governor Jimmie Davis was the first one to record songs of mine, and I blogged about it here. Meeting him and visiting with him in his Baton Rouge home remains one of the highlights of my songwriting career.

Cheryl:  In what ways has songwriting enriched your life?

Gayle:  Songwriting has enriched my life in countless ways. The most obvious way is that it put me in direct communication with God—he gave the inspiration, and I wrote the song. Also, seeing others worshiping as you sing songs you’ve written is so uplifting for the writer.

But, hands down, the most rewarding thing for me has been hearing from people—most of them strangers—decades later, telling me how my music touched them and changed their lives for the good. Knowing I had a tiny part in something of eternal value is truly the most humbling and rewarding experience one can have.

I recently heard from a stranger on Facebook. She related how our paths had crossed over 30 years ago. She was a 15-year-old new convert, fresh out of witchcraft. I was a young woman, offering what gifts I'd been given back to the Giver, in hopes of changing a life. Lori told me she purchased our music that day, and it had deeply impacted her in her spiritual journey.

As tears dripped off my chin, I wrote her back and told her how much it meant, knowing that my small seed had produced good things in her life. I felt humbled, and grateful, and blessed. Little Me in the hands of Big Him—overwhelming.

I was so sad to learn that Lori was dying, and within a few days of us having a personal conversation on the phone, she passed away. Isn’t it amazing how God uses people to bless people? The first time our paths crossed, I was a gift to Lori. The second time, Lori was a gift to me.

I’d like to deviate here and say, if anyone has ever inspired you or encouraged you in any way, please let that person know. You have no idea how much they might need to hear your words.

Cheryl:  Do you still write songs? If so, is there a particular place that you prefer to go to write?

Gayle:  I don’t purposefully write songs anymore, but I still burst out in a new song on occasion. Many instances, I’ve had God speak a song to my heart, and within a few weeks, it was exactly what I needed to keep going another day. I have considered writing music again with intention, but, admittedly, the desire is lacking without a given outlet in place.

Cheryl:  Who would you say has been your strongest spiritual mentor and why?

Gayle:  Without hesitation, my mother has been my strongest spiritual mentor. She is one of the godliest women I know, and she exemplifies the body of Christ. Growing up, I recall countless times when hurting souls knocked on our door, needing someone to listen. With love oozing out of her, Mother talked with them, encouraged them, prayed with them, cooked for them. She was always kind but honest in her counsel. She just turned 85, and she still has friends around the globe who call and seek her advice. I don’t think I’ve ever heard my mother speak an ugly word about anyone. What a testimony that is.

Cheryl:  Who is the person in your life today who encourages you the most spiritually?

Gayle:  I have a strong circle of encouragers around me, and that’s such a blessing when you are divorced, living alone. But without a doubt, the person who encourages me the most is my twin sister. She has been a rock to me during times of storm, when my whole world was sinking. She is a selfless, wise person—much like our mother—and even while fighting her own battles, she jumps in the ring with me to help me fight mine. She always speaks words I need to hear, and she’s even played hymns on my piano while I sobbed uncontrollably in a chair nearby. Money can’t buy an encourager like that, and I’m so blessed to have had Dayle since birth.

Cheryl:  To date, what would you say has been the darkest time of your life, and how did your walk with Jesus help you get through that time? Has there ever been a moment that you have felt God-forsaken?

Gayle:  First of all, no, I have never felt God-forsaken. Even when the heavens are brass, and my prayers don’t get off the floor, I don’t feel abandoned by God. I know he is with me.

Regarding dark times, my 20-year marriage ended in 2002, and that was a dark time. A few years later, I was diagnosed with a rare voice disorder that would ultimately require surgery, and rob me of the ability to sing professionally again, and that was a dark time.

However, I am currently walking the darkest valley of my life, involving my only child and my only grandchild—the two people I love most in the whole wide world. I am choosing to keep the details private, but what has kept me sane and afloat over the past 12 months is my unshakable faith in God and his promises. 

Grand-daughter, Audrey, and Gayle

Every day is hard, and I have cried an ocean of tears, but Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Either I believe that promise, or I don’t. It’s really that simple. Even when my heart is breaking. Even when my tears are falling. Even when I don’t think I can keep breathing because my grief is so great, God’s word says that all things work together…for good.

Sometimes it’s impossible to see the good in a sad situation, but when you face things you can’t fix, and you do all you know to do, you just have to let it go, be still and trust. And sometimes, trusting can be a minute-by-minute thing. Thankfully, God understands. He knows we are but flesh, and he doesn’t judge us. He just waits for us to let it go again so he can pick it up.

Cheryl:  How do you remain motivated, encouraged, and enthused to press on for God in these trying, perilous times? Are there particular Scriptures, books, hymns, or other resources that you turn to in times of discouragement?

Gayle:  The Bible says that perilous times will come, and, without a doubt, those times are here. Good is now considered evil, and evil is now considered good. And while Christians are being slaughtered around the globe, it would be easy to let fear grip our hearts and render us hopeless. But we can’t give in to fear. Regardless of how bad things are, we have to remind ourselves that God is in control, and good wins in the end.

My daily devotional is one of the best-selling devotionals of all time called Streams in the Desert. I’ve drawn from it for a number of years now, and it ministers to me in insightful and refreshing new ways every day. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for daily encouragement.

Of course, no book is as inspiring as the anointed Word of God, and a go-to Scripture for me during times of discouragement has always been Philippians 4:4-8: “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are TRUE, whatsoever things are HONEST, whatsoever things are JUST, whatsoever things are PURE, whatsoever things are LOVELY, whatsoever things are of GOOD REPORT; if there be any VIRTUE, and if there be any PRAISE, think on THESE things.”
For me, the key to pressing on in the midst of trouble, storms or heartache is keeping my mind on good things and my eyes on Jesus.

Cheryl:  How can we pray for you? 

Gayle:  Thank you so much for wanting to pray for me, Cheryl. You are a real blessing to those who read your blog, and I’m glad we found each other. I firmly believe that the darkness I am walking in right now will lift one day, the mountain will move, the clouds will part. Until then, however, I would greatly appreciate prayers that I can continue letting go and trusting.

I believe it was Adrian Rogers who said: “Worry looks at God through circumstances, but peace looks at circumstances through God.” While thinking on those rich words the other day at lunch, God reminded me of my song Invincible Faith. One part of a verse says, “My faith is looking upward when my head’s hanging down. When sorry looks behind me, and when worry looks around, faith is moving forward, never shaken by doubt. God’s going to see me through; his every word is true.”

Trusting the One who loved us to the cross and back should be the easiest thing in the world to do, but when your heart is involved, it can be hard.

Thank you ever so much, dear Gayle,
for granting us this interview and for sharing your heart with us here.  

I can't begin to tell you how much you have encouraged me and so many others.

May God bless you and keep you and your dear family in His tender, loving care. 

Dear friends, I hope you will take a moment to stop by and visit Gayle's blog,

Moments With Me.

She consistently blesses me with her posts, and I know she will bless you, too.
I am so thankful to know her and to have her alongside on this blogging journey!

And, I hope you can find some time to listen to her sweet voice singing two of her original songs that were mentioned above.


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Here is a live version of the Kingsmen singing Gayle's song, "A New Life".


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To read previous

 click the links below.

The Inner Views of Joshua Becker

 The Inner Views of Lisa Newton

The Inner Views of Dr. Alveda King

The Inner Views of Jen Avellaneda

The Inner Views of Tonya Shellnutt

The Inner Views of Karen Del Tatto

The Inner Views of Evelyn Rennich

The Inner Views of Bob Sellers

The Inner Views of Kelly Bowling

The Inner Views of The Benham Brothers
The Inner Views of Beth Willis Miller
The Inner Views of Rodney Griffin
The Inner Views of Joni Eareckson Tada