Matthew West » New Music Friday-"Save A Place For Me"

New Music Friday-"Save A Place For Me"
December 14, 2007 - Comments (4)

It’s new music Friday, and I have posted another new
song on my myspace from "Something to Say," for you to hear before it comes out on
1/15. I hope you like it. Here is the story behind the song. Also, below I posted the first of 7 webisodes we took from my documentary titled Nothing To Say. Hope you enjoy and check back for a new song and video next week!

"Save A Place For Me"

She can’t speak. Not anymore. The stroke she suffered took that way.
She can’t walk. Her 86 years of life have left her paralyzed and
confined to a wheelchair. She is my grandmother, Luella Jane West. Five
years ago, the doctors told the family she wasn’t going to make it. I
remember getting the phone call from my dad. I remember the trip to
Iowa. I remember the hospital room. I remember saying goodbye.
My
family cried, laughed, and cried some more in the waiting room of the
hospital as we remembered and celebrated her life. And it truly was a
life worth celebrating. Grandma was a mother of ten children who loved
God with all her heart, and believed in the power of prayer. I will
always remember cards and letters she would send me. They were filled
with encouraging words and scriptures to live by. I will not soon
forget her example of how to live a life that really says something.
What my family didn’t expect was exactly what happened. Five years
later, my grandmother has defied the doctors and is still with us. And
though she has lost her voice, her life still speaks. Today, there is
another Luella Jane West here with us. She is my daughter. And you
should see Grandma’s eyes light up when she sees her namesake! Someday
when Lulu asks about her name, I will be proud to tell her about a life
that had something to say.
I know that my grandmother won’t be
here much longer. She knows it too. So, this song is dedicated to her.
Celebrating a life while it is still being lived. I read a recent
interview with Billy Graham in Newsweek that summed up the heart behind
"Save a Place for Me." When asked about the passing of his wife, Rev.
Graham said, "I know God has prepared a home for her in Heaven. I just
hope she saves a room for me."

POSTED BY:
Matthew West

4 comments

1. brian gradoville commented:

Tue 8/1/08, 12:22 pm

Matthew,
I listened to an interview you did on 89.1 The Spirit, Cedar Rapids Ia 52402 today 1/8/08. you spoke of your grandmother who had 10 children, 9 boys 1 girl. You had also said that she lost one in Vietnam. Well that story touched me because I’m one of 10 kids 9 boys and 1 girl. My older brother was killed in Vietnam 40 years ago. I had a son who was able see you in concert last year in Waterloo, Ia with my wife, his mom and his teacher who he has much respect for. His teacher had been sick and he thought that you concert would brighten his day. He was very thirlled when he got to go behind stage and you signed his CD for him.
It is really amazing how our paths cross or we come in contact with stories that link us together. I would be interested in knowing where your uncle was serving in Vietnam.
Thanks for making the world a better place with your music and organization.
Keep Looking Up,
Brian gradoville

2. Wendy Graphman commented:

Thu 6/3/08, 7:19 pm

I recently went to your concert in Indianapolis IN with my 13 Year old Son Sean. We had a great time and really enjoyed it. The most disappointing thing is that we only got to hear about 3 songs from you. I was hoping to hear so many more! I did buy your new album that night. I want to especially thank you for the song “Save A Place for Me” I can relate. My dad died in a house fire April of 06 and everthing came back unknown. Cause of fire… cause of death… so many questions with no answers. I really leaned on your song “The End” at that time alot. I believe it came out about that time or that is when I found it anyways. It’s not the end of the world … Some days it feels like it though. I just wish I had the answers.
I do praise the Lord with you that you are able to continue to sing and write songs. Each and every song touches me in a new way. I could go on and on.
Thanks for using your talents for the Lord.
Wendy

3. Colleen commented:

Wed 7/5/08, 10:46 am

Matthew,
I just want you to know how much your song has spoken to me during this last week.
My mother, suffered a stroke, her last of many this last week and we had to take her off all food and water. The last ten days have been such an emotional and spiritual journey for me…sitting next to her bedside as I watched her life slip away.
Before I left to go be with her I had purchased your album, unaware of this song. As we sat next to her, we would use my media player to play the hymns she loved so dearly. On Saturday she slipped into a coma and as I sat there, helpless, lonely, loosing my mother, I clicked on your song,Save A Place For Me….and the tears began to flow. She went home to be with her Creator on Monday. I am rejoicing that she is Home…but the pain I am feeling now is unbearable at times. I am so thankful for the hope that we have in the Lord.
Now reading your journal here…I had to write you and share with you how much it means to me…this song. Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit minister to you for others.
Praying for you and yours…
Colleen Pusateri