Sara Groves: Minnesota

Sara Groves has, for a long time, been my favorite singer/songwriter!  Before last night, I didn't know Sara outside of her music--but the thing is, she has let so many people in so close through the lyrics of her songs that those of us who have listened to her share through music over the last 10 albums, have come to feel such an appreciation for her as if she was a mentor or friend.  There's a quote by Anne Lamott that says,

"We write to expose the unexposed. If there is one door in the castle you have been told not to go through, you must. Otherwise, you'll just be rearranging furniture in rooms you've already been in. Most humans are dedicated to keeping that one door shut. But the writer's job is to see what's behind it, to see the bleak, unspeakable stuff, and to turn the unspeakable into words—not just into any words but if we can, into rhythm and blues."   

I think that seems to be one of Sara's biggest gifts--pulling meaning out of struggle or difficulty, and calling herself and others to refine an attention to the beauty in the precious things of life.  She's doing really neat things through Art House North, and also partnered with Food for the Hungry in Rwanda.  Last night, at her concert in Pasco, she took the time to model a shirt and share something that she re-purposes. She even bought this shirt she modeled to support the project!  Meet Sara!

"I love to re-purpose old pillow cases and table-cloths into aprons that I give as gifts."

Her new album is called Invisible Empires and if you want a place to start in the album, my favorite songs are Obsolete, Open My Hands, and Precious Again.   If you have not listened to Sara Groves, there are so many of her previous songs that I want to point you off to, and here are just a couple of those...to buy any of her albums, click on over HERE. 

It's a sweet, sweet thing
standing here with you and nothing to hide
light shining down to our very insides
sharing our secrets, bearing our souls,
helping each other come clean

--Different Kinds of Happy

There's a lot of pain in reaching out and trying
It's a vulnerable place to be
Love and pride can't occupy the same spaces, baby
Only one makes you free

--Loving a Person

The past is so tangible
I know it by heart
Familiar things are never easy to discard
I was dying for some freedom
But now I hesitate to go
Caught between the promise
And the things I know

--Painting Pictures of Egypt