I've personally connected deeply with the music ministry of All Sons & Daughters. I was sad to learn that they had made the decision to disband, and I had a bit of an "emo" reaction. 
 
As I contemplated how many of their songs have positively affected my mood and have been go-to moments when I've felt lonely, anxious, and sad, and I thought it would be fitting to mention three of those songs that have been constant companions in those moments. 

We've compiled my ten behind the song devotionals with them here. I first met them and worshipped with them in-person at Creation Northeast in 2012. You can read about that and see exclusive photos from their set on the Worship Stage here.

The first of the three songs I wanted to mention is that at Creation Northeast, when I sang along with them live, the minute they started "Wake Up" I couldn't help but stand up in the worship tent and raise my hands in surrender to God. 
 
The powerful chorus is the cry of my heart: "Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up all you sleepers, Stand up, stand up, Stand up all you dreamers, Hands up, hands up, Hands up all believers, Take up your cross, carry it on." Here's a live performance video "Wake Up."
 
Their incredibly worshipful set was my absolute favorite time of the entire festival as I sat and worshipped along with these talented worship leaders at the feet of Jesus, and offered Him all of my praise and surrender to His majesty. 

After their amazing set, I spoke with the band in-person about "Wake Up," which was my first of the 10 behind the song devotional interviews with the band. The song is based on Ephesians 5:14 (NIV): "This is why it is said: 'Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'" We immediately bonded about "gourmet" music as they had been compared with The Civil Wars (who have also since disbanded), and our love of marrying Scripture with folk alternative music--especially as Jars of Clay has a similar sound and I credit them for leading me to Christ and why I started writing behind the song devotionals.

The second song I think of relative to All Sons & Daughters' impact on me is "Oh How I Need You." The song has a NEEDTOBREATHE musical feel reminding me of "The Outsiders" with the rollicking banjo part. The change in tempo really hooks me in as a listener and a worshipper into the theme of this upbeat worship song. 
  The song was co-written with Stu G from Delirious and the opening lyrics are based on writings of Mother Teresa: "Lord I find You in the seeking / Lord I find You in the doubt / And to know You is to Love / And to know so little else." One of my daily devotionals in trying to grow in my walk with Jesus is to sing to Him at least one praise song every day. The song is based on Psalm 9:10 (NKJV): "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You." 

No matter how you are feeling, you can start your morning with this devotional prayer: "Lord I find You in the morning, Lord I seek You every day, Let my life be for Your glory, Woven in your threads of grace, I need You, Oh how I need You." Here's a live performance video of "Oh How I Need You."
 
The third song that has greatly ministered to me in my darker moments has been "Path of Sorrow." The song is based on the writings of William Cowper: "The path of sorrow, and that path alone, leads to the land where sorrow is unknown. No traveller ever reach'd that bless'd abode, Who found not thorns and briars in his road." 

Biblically, the song is based on Psalm 73:26 (NIV): "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." God knows every detail of our lives, and He already knows we feel discouraged or down on ourselves. That's a lie that the enemy is telling us. Worrying about measuring up and trying to be perfect are natural feelings. We're supposed to have imperfections to remind us of our need for our Healer and our Redeemer, Jesus. That type of reminder has been consistently found in the music of All Sons & Daughters, back to their debut album Brokenness Aside. 

If people can grasp that concept of being whole in Christ, they will be holy because of the overflow of God's love in them. That's the great news of the Gospel that you can celebrate by singing this song: "oh I know, I know, You remain the same, even in, even in my wandering." Amen to that! I cherish your music ministry, David and Leslie, and thank you immensely for blessing me with your songs. I'll miss you. 
  Here's a live performance video of "Path of Sorrow," which seems kind of appropriate right now!