"When You Walk Through the Gates"

"The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass." Revelation 21:21

Songwriting has been a part of my life for many years. I can't remember when I wrote my first song or even which song I wrote first, for that matter. I go through seasons where I don't write a song for a long time, then, at other times, I have been known to be in the process of writing two songs at once. One of the most interesting things about my songwriting is how I am almost always inspired with the lyrics and melody simultaneously. I know it sounds odd, but rarely am I given one without the other. The Lord uses many sources to inspire me to write songs, but one of my main songwriting patterns seems to happen during times of deep trials. Today, I want to share one of my original songs with you, along with a bit of the back story.

I was on my way home from work—I could drive you to the exact spot where Bayshore Blvd. and Port St. Lucie Blvd. intersect at the foot of the bridge over the Florida Turnpike. I can still see the Winn Dixie grocery store on the right side of the road.

(Pink arrow marks the exact spot)

My heart was heavy-laden with worry over things my aging parents were going through, and as I waited for the stoplight to change, I looked up into the sky to see the most beautiful sunset. I started thinking about heaven and imagining what was waiting for Mom and Dad on the other side of that sunset, and as I pondered such things, the Lord simultaneously brought the words and melody of a brand-new song to me. I scrambled to find a napkin to jot down the lyrics, then repeatedly hummed the tune until I reached home and was able to record it on our portable tape recorder. I could hardly wait for Mom and Dad to hear the song written especially for them that I entitled, "When You Walk Through the Gates."

A few years later, a friend of a friend of ours who knew a music producer made a connection, and the Lord opened an opportunity for me to go to Nashville and record "When You Walk Through the Gates," along with one of my other original songs.

Here are some photos that Kevin took on that memorable day.

Sound engineer, Jim Sandefur, all the musicians you hear on the CD, along with producer, Lannie Johnson, and Cheryl.

Cheryl with fiddle player, Deanie Richardson

Cheryl with producer, Lannie Johnson

Jim, Cheryl, and Lannie

"When You Walk Through the Gates" was played at both Mom's and Dad's funeral services. It will forever be their song.

Recently, my band, Mountain Hope, was asked to perform a three-hour live radio broadcast on 96.3 "The Possum" Canjoe* John's Mountain Matinee Radio Show, and during our live performance, Canjoe so kindly played those two Nashville-recorded songs on the radio. I was humbled, blessed, and deeply moved.

Mountain Hope Band
From left to right: DJ Canjoe* John, Cheryl, Chuck, Michael, and Pat

 

Later, a listener's request prompted Zach and me to put together a lyric video of "When You Walk Through the Gates," and I wanted to share it with you here. 

When You Walk Through the Gates

If you happen to enjoy the video and are blessed by the song, please consider hitting the "like" button on YouTube. It really helps our channel and prompts the algorithm to suggest our videos to more viewers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

No matter what you are going through, this life and all its heartaches and trials are only temporary. There is an eternal home in heaven awaiting every blood-washed believer where God will wipe away all tears from our eyes. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4

This life is not the end. No matter how hard things get or how upside down this world becomes, we are all going to a place far better than this where Jesus is waiting by the throne of His Father for our homecoming.

May He encourage your hearts today and comfort you in all your tribulations. Keep encouraged. Jesus is coming very soon.

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28