When I'm With You is JJ Heller’s most recent album. “This is by far my favorite record I've made,” she says. “As the title implies, the theme of the record is relationships, and how they affect our lives.”

In writing material for the new release, JJ poured her everyday observations into her songbook--stories she heard while traveling, and those nearer to her heart. "This album is all about redemption," observes JJ. "Looking back on the songs, there's a lot of struggle written into them because that's life. Everyone has different problems to face, but in the end, the outcome hinges on how you deal with those struggles--if you allow them to destroy you or make you stronger."

Perhaps it's her insight and sensitivity that consistently draws a female audience to JJ's music. She touches on issues of self-image and worry, questions of faith, and feelings of loneliness. Her songs resonate with women and offer encouragement.

“For some reason, Christians (including myself) sometimes think, 'If I’m following the Lord and doing the best I can, that life will be easy,' and it’s not. That’s where grace comes in, and that’s where we grow.

“We have the choice to live in fear, or to live in the hope that God is in every moment with us. That’s one of the major themes of this season in my life.”

I had the opportunity to interview JJ and her husband, David, about "When I’m With You," the title track from her brand new album of the same name.

Please share the background that led you to write the song "When I’m With You."

This is the first song I wrote after my daughter, Lucy, was born. It is fitting that it is a love song for her. I was overwhelmed in my life; having my first baby changed the way I look at everything. In addition to the joy she’s brought to my life, she has made me much more aware of things outside of myself. I didn’t have time anymore to spend thinking about myself and my wants; I focused my attention on her. She was this little helpless human being. God really encouraged me to overcome my anxieties and panic attacks. People with those issues tend to self-evaluate all the time and worry they aren’t doing things right. Motherhood has been an intense therapy session, and God has used the gift of motherhood to not only make me smile and laugh and enjoy life again, but to also get out of my head the negative thoughts I have about myself. Instead, I look at all of the blessings that He gives all around us. Lucy’s name means “bringer of light.”

Please tell me about the Bible verses you used in writing the song.

I was really thinking about Mary’s prayer, “The Magnificat," in Luke 1:46-55: And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.”

How can listeners apply that message when they listen to the song?

I didn’t think I would look forward to changing diapers as much as I did. There’s something about being selfless that’s such a blessing. Here was this life that really hadn’t necessarily benefitted us in any way other than expanding our love for life and her. Becoming a parent hopefully makes you step outside of yourself far more than before parenthood. Being a parent has revealed a lot more of God’s heart for us.

When Lucy first started walking, she loved to throw things in the trash can. I was about to go throw away one of her dirty diapers and I had this thought to let her do it. She walked over and threw away her diaper. I was so excited to think she could be my little helper now. Then I realized a whole year had gone by and she never did anything for me. I spent all of my time focused on her and had to give of myself to her. Just because she could now do something for me didn’t make me love her any more than I already love her. I really felt that God was telling me in that moment that He is so excited when we serve Him. It brings Him joy, but it doesn’t change how much He loves us. When we’re doing nothing to serve Him, He still loves us the same. It was a profound moment for me to have a small glimpse of God’s unconditional love. In the Magnificat, Mary has this revelation about God’s view of humanity. Mary does pray that she’s blessed, and she recognizes her humility in the light of God’s love for us. That’s the perspective of this song.

Here are the lyrics:

When I hold you
In my arms, love
Somethin' changes
It's the strangest feeling

The things that
Use to matter
They don't matter
To me

When I see you
And you're smilin'
How my heart aches
So full it is about to break

You make me believe in love

I could never count all the ways
That you change me, baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you

When I hear you
And you're cryin'
It resonates, dear
In a place I didn't know was there

You make me believe in love

I could never count all the ways
That you change me, baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you

Beautiful, baby
You're sweeter than strawberry pie
Just like the morning
Your smile brings the sun that shines

I could never count all the ways
That you change me, baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you

I could never count all the ways
That you change me, baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue

When I'm with you

Here’s Asbury’s Bible commentary on “The Magnificat”: “Mary, the cousin of Elizabeth, was told that she was to be the mother of the Son of God, the promised Messiah of the house of David. His conception would not take place through the agency of a man but through the Holy Spirit. She reacted to the news at first with uncertainty but then with acceptance, belief, and joy. Her song of thanksgiving is known as the 'Magnificat.' This hymn celebrates God's exaltation of the lowly and God's care for the hungry. It is reminiscent of Hannah's song after the birth of Samuel, and Luke may be implying that Samuel and Hannah prefigured Jesus and Mary.”

Here’s Matthew Henry’s commentary: “Mary's hymn expresses praise to God for his treatment of her, but then extends her praise to how God has treated the righteous throughout the ages and how he will vindicate them fully in the future. Understanding what God is doing, Mary possesses a mood of joy. She speaks for herself and for her community, the people of God throughout time. God is worthy of praise for what he will do in taking care of His own. Understanding God's blessing moves the believer to joy and appreciation, since the Almighty cares personally for us and acts on our behalf.”

What’s so relatable is how JJ Heller’s “relationship” songs are relevant for everyone. If you know Jesus, then you especially know the ultimate answer to the quest for love can only be found in Him. I have three young daughters and this song really makes me smile, especially during the bridge where JJ tenderly sings “Beautiful, baby, you're sweeter than strawberry pie, just like the morning, your smile brings the sun that shines.”

Although this is a sweet and loving song from a mother or father to a child, it is also a profound picture of how God feels about us as His children. Children also love us unconditionally and God wants us to be a picture of His love back to them. Remember that God loves you and there is nothing that we can do to make Him love us more.

The lyrics in the song that wreck me are “When I hear you, and you're cryin', it resonates, dear, in a place I didn't know was there.” God hears us crying and He wants us to know that He’s always listening and He’s with us always. JJ’s second baby girl (named Nora), is due in September, 2011.