Have you ever wondered what variables help inspire a song? I heard one songwriter say that songwriters don't have original ideas, just unique ways of getting their message across. Such as the case with the song "Jesus' Rocking Chair." We have all heard about the terrible tragedy Tim Greene and his wife Amy, faced 10 years ago when she suffered a miscarriage of their second child. Not long after that, Tim wrote the inspiring "Jesus' Rocking Chair" from a simple poem given to him from a young girl named Allison Stinson. That song became the Greenes signature song and blessed thousands of people and won many awards. We all heard the story of how that poem inspired Tim Greene to write the song. But, what inspired the poem? What trials did Allison have go through to write that poem? Before we answer that, lets answer the question as to who is Allison Stinson?
Allison is 26 years old and works in the Crabb Family's office handling public relations responsibilities including publicity on Crabb Family dates, develop and coordinate web site and internet projects, as well as "whatever else may need to be done at any give time." She also writes feature articles for the Singing News and still writes poetry and songs in her spare time. I asked Allison to share her story in her own words about her life and about the trials she has faced in life to inspire that poem that helped Tim and Amy Greene through one of their darkest trials and ultimately helped the world see the love Christ has for us…
| I had never heard of The Greenes before, but Kim Greene captured my fascination. I followed her everywhere from then on. I was the typical "fan." |
When I was five years old, I attended my first Southern Gospel concert in my hometown of Honaker, VA. I have no idea who was on the program, but one of the groups on the outdoor event featured three young siblings from Boone, NC, The Greenes. I had never heard of The Greenes before, but Kim Greene captured my fascination. I followed her everywhere from then on. I was the typical "fan." I snapped photos; I got autographs, the whole nine yards. A few years later, I added to my heroine list, a beautiful person by the name of Amy Lambert. Amy was always so kind to me that I admired her just as much as I did Kim. Both of them inspired me to want to someday be a part of Southern Gospel Music. I began to pray at a very young age that God would open doors for me in this industry. I had also begun to write at a very young age, and asked God persistently to use my writing to reach out to those who were hurting.
When I was 16 years old, just after becoming acquainted with Amy Lambert and becoming truly fascinated with The Greenes' ministry enough to want to pursue a dream, I was diagnosed with Chronic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. I attended The Greenes' Homecoming in 1993 on crutches. Amy Lambert and Amy Greene (Tim Greene's wife) were so sweet to me. Their thoughtfulness meant so much that I felt an instant bond with them. They genuinely touched my heart in a special way. That same weekend Tim shared that he and Amy were expecting their second child. They were already blessed with a precious little girl, Brittany, and the entire family was thrilled beyond belief. Later that week, Amy Greene was unable to attend the Homecoming as Tim shared that she had suffered a miscarriage. They were devastated. They had been so kind to me that I wanted to do something in return.
I was admitted into the hospital a month later with the second highest SED rate (measures the severity of the illness) that the hospital had ever seen. I also began Chemotherapy treatments because nothing else was aggressive enough to fight the inflammation and pain in all of the joints. I was homebound from school and became so sick from the treatments that I nearly died. My doctor told my parents that, if I were able to graduate from High School, I would do so in a wheel chair. I got out of the hospital just in time to see The Greenes as they were passing through my hometown. Tim, once again, shared the pain that he and Amy had felt during their miscarriage. I felt such a burden for them and knew that God was prompting me to help, but not quite sure of how I would do so.
The next night, I had a small pity party in my bedroom. All of my friends were at a football game, where I would have been had I been able. My illness had required me to give up Color Guard Captain and several other school activities. I was very envious of my friends on that particular night. I began to question "why" and feel like life was not fair. At a very young age, I knew what to do when I began to feel that way. I went into my room and got on my knees. I did not see at the time, but I knew that God had a purpose for what I was facing. I began to ask Him to comfort me and give me peace until things got better. I also began to pray for Tim and Amy because they were on my heart so strongly. I picked up a pen and paper and, without even thinking, wrote the words to a poem. There was a line in the poem that said, "just in case Mommy worries, tell her Jesus has a rocking chair." After writing the poem and reading back over the words, my first thought was that it was silly. I thought that Tim would laugh at me. I was terrified to give the poem to him, but something kept tugging at my heart.
Two months later, I gave the poem to Amy Lambert for her opinion first. She prompted me to give the poem to Tim, so I did. He was very touched and appreciated the gesture, but I thought that was the end. Another two months later, I learned that Tim had written a song from the line in the poem that said, "Jesus has a rocking chair." Tim's song, "Jesus' Rocking Chair," recorded by The Greenes was a number one song and captured "Song of the Year" at the 1995 Diamond Awards
That
song was so special to me because it did open the doors for me that I had prayed
about. It fulfilled a dream of mine. I also met many new people and heard numerous
testimonies. However, the most memorable experience for me was that during the
time that the song was catching on, I was going through the deepest darkest valley
of my life. I traveled on several occasions with The Greenes. I would take treatments
before I left. Many times, Tim would call me to the stage to recite the poem,
and I would greet people at the product table. Then, I would go to the bus and
sleep because I was so nauseas and in so much pain. At that time, I was not sure
that I would make it. God used the poem and the song to comfort many families
who had lost children, but He also used that situation to bring me through a very
trying time in my life.
Despite doctors' expectations, I walked through my graduation line and completed four years of college in three years. Several years later, I became acquainted with the Crabb Family and now work with them full-time. With the help of doctors, medication, and most of all the grace of God, my Rheumatoid Arthritis is in remission. I have occasional flare-ups, but I am a daily walking miracle.
When we trust God with our futures, and allow Him to have control, He works in ways beyond our greatest dreams. He knows what is best for everyone. This story serves as a constant reminder of encouragement to me in times that I am tempted to not trust God and to do things my own way. I hope it will do the same for others.
Thank you Allison for sharing you story. No doubt, 10 years later, the song and the poem continues to bless and encourage countless numbers of people. Even now, as Tim Greene faces his darkest days with his serious illness, may the God who comforted him and Amy in those former bleak times, continue to bring peace and rest and most of all, healing to them today.
For those who have never heard the song "Jesus' Rocking Chair", to hear it in it's entirety, go here: http://thegreenesgospel.com/html/news.html and scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will find the song listed and follow the instructions for downloading the song. Also, below is the poem written by Allison:
JESUS' ROCKING CHAIR
Daddy I'm watching down on you
And I just heard you say
That you and Mommy lost a baby
How sad you were that day
I want you to know I love you
And I appreciate the thought
But if you could see me now so happy
And I'm so much better off
I know you and Mommy would care for me
And I'd be surrounded by love
But just remember I'm watching you
And I'm waiting for you above
I know you and Mommy wanted me
And so did my family
But Jesus had a pair of baby wings
And He needed me worse you see
For if I'd come to the world
And taken the Greene name
I might have only been a failure
And brought you only shame
But don't worry about me now
I'm safe and secure in His care
And just in case Mommy worries
Tell her Jesus has a rocking chair
So keep singing and preaching for Jesus
And soon you'll come to see me
The first thing I want you to do
Is sing a song for me
Tell Mommy I love her too
And I can't wait for her to hold me
I'll be waiting by the river
There's no way she could miss me
Tell my big Sissy Brittany
I can't wait for her to play with me
And until we all meet up here
Give her the love you had for me
© Allison Stinson
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 04/01/2003
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Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 16
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Wow Allison.....that is absolutely beautiful!!! I had no idea what you have been through OR the poem behind the song!! I have tears in my eyes right now!! You're a special person...that is for sure!! I just wanted to say thank you Allison and James for sharing that with us!!!
You have all of our love and respect!!! I don't know if I could have made it through everything you have and still be the person that you are. You're awesome!Wonderful story, brought tears to my eyes:) Allison you are awesome and such a blessing. Thank you for all you do for all of us and for the encouragement you are.
Allison, you have become such a great friend to me and my family. You are such a blessing. I am so thankful that God placed you in our lives. I pray for you often. I know God is using you and will continue to use you..no matter where you are! We love you!
Dear Allison,
It never ceases to amaze and bless me, how God takes all these "little" pieces, and puts together a "Big" puzzle. This article was really a blessing to me. Thank you for sharing your story Alison,
Cindy, if you want you email me privately your email addy and I will pass it along to Allison. My addy is:
Dear Allison,
I have been truly touched by the poem you wrote and the story behind it. I am so glad that SoGospelNews shared this story or we would have never known! May God continue to bless you and meet every need. Love and Prayers, Janine
Allison,
My sister lost her first baby in a miscarriage last year in Feb. of '02. I used to think that it wasn't really that big of a deal to loose a baby. But, when this happened, it hit me how terrible of and ordeal it is to go through, and I couldn't imagine the pain of my sister. Someone at the station I work at suggested I listen to this song, a few weeks after it happened, and it was so soothing. My sister also listened to it, and it hurt her, but it also started to help the healing process. A year and a day after she miscarried, she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy, baby boy. we love him to pieces, but also really miss the other baby, even though we never saw him. Thanks for such a wonderful song and to be able to share your experience with the rest of us! Another song that helped us, besides this one, was "Glory-baby" by Watermark. but thank you!
Dear Allison,
I was deeply moved from the poem "Jesus Rocking Chair" I did notice that this poem is copywrited, hinceforth brings a question? I am Hospice Chaplain and I would love to be able to read this poem to other grieving family members, to help them with their healing journey of losing a young one. What is your policy on sharing such a hugely gifted poem. Do I need to purchase copies? If I do please let me know the cost. p.s. How do I order the "song version"?
My daughter just lost our first grandchild yesterday, Sept.4,2007. My heart grieves for her and her husband and yes there is an emptiness knowing that we will never hold that little one in our arms here on earth, BUT we have the sweet assurance that the One who gives life also knows what is best for each of His children and we will not question why, but we will trust Him because He makes no mistakes. We will see that little one some day... just on a different shore....no more pain or sorrow...but until then we know that He will take good care of this little one.
i LOST MY GANDDAUGHTER 4 YEARS AGO I HEARD JESUS ROCKING CHAIR 2 WKS AFTER I WROTE CAUSE I COULD NOT FIND THE CD YOU SENT IT TO ME FREE NOW MY NEICE DIED FROM A DRUNK DRIVER AND 3 OTHERS IN THE CAR I REALLY NEED A SONG FOR ME AND MY SISTER THAT WAS HER ONLY CHILD SHE WAS 19 AND A COLLEGE STUDENT, WHAT SONG WILL BE FOR HER NOW
beautiful poem this was read at my nephew Hunter byers funeral service He was 5 wks 3 days old I lost my youngets son to SIDS 25 years ago and this poem has helped me more than anything to accept the loss of James my son thanks again my prayers will always be with you and your loved ones
Thank you for your song.It was God inspired. Just last week a friend took his life and the lives of hs wife and children. I was having trouble dealing with the children's deaths. I sat in my car crying telling God I needed his help to deal with this. After leaving the cemateryIThe song JESUS HAS A ROCKING CHAIR came on. I had heard it a Thousand times before,but this time God soothed me. I have no problem with the tradgidy now I know where Madison @ Kevin Jr are. They are being rocked in his arms.Thank you! God is so good he always comes through just in time.
Dearest Allison
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