Sara Groves Talks about Family and the Importance of Social Justice

Interview with Sara Groves

 

     There is no limit in our world today to what one person can do for the social injustice that surrounds us. There is not a single mountain that someone cannot climb. There is not a single fear that cannot be overcome. For Sara Groves that fear was traveling on the road with her family.

     However, after a passionate reading of "Terrify No More" by Gary Haugen her eyes were focused and she and her family started down a path filled with both heartache and inspiration. For Sara, the opportunity to be a part of social justice and to teach the importance of involving ourselves as Christians into a hurting world is her main focus.

 

Sara: "At four years old I started singing. I always felt compelled to communicate my faith through song. It is very important to me to express to others how God works in each of our hearts.

 

I have spoken at a few conferences about social justice and how important it is for parents to instill that nature into their children. To go into the world and minister to the needs of people. It is amazing how much you can learn about God through those who are impoverished and hurting."

     Sara practices what she teaches by including her children the oldest being Kirby running close behind in second place is Toby followed by their baby sister Ruby.

Sara: "Toby and I try to instill the same values that we have about social justice into our children and they have spoken at different events about ways they have contributed to help causes. Mostly they get involved with issues that are close to home. They do things more in our private life and through our home church.

 

     Many people can look locally for things they can do with their children to help others. You don’t have to go to Africa or the Philippines to get involved. God can use different people in so many ways. Don’t just hold out for Heaven, we need to have an excitement for God today."

 

     If you have not had the opportunity to hear Sara’s latest album it is one that will definitely challenge you to be honest with your emotions in many different situations. The melodies made me want to find a field full of butterflies and sunshine to run in barefoot searching for a tall glass of lemonade and a hammock. Definitely not one to listen to on a road trip, unless of course God is still trying to deliver you from road rage and you need something to relax you. I asked Sara what it was about Fireflies and Songs that set this project apart from her previous albums.

Sara: "Well, the production was different and it was collaborated differently. While I was singing these songs, I took them in a different direction. It was as if I was sitting in my piano room just releasing some deeply personal issues. I wasn’t teaching on this album, it was more of a confession of things I have felt.  Not all of them were current feelings or things that have recently happened but they were very personal. It was like I was painting different sides of the fruit bowl, instead of just one side."

      Sara has been highly influenced by folk music and has the heart to become the female version of Keith Green. While listening to her newest CD I was reminded of the first time I heard his music and thought to myself "she reminds me so much of him." Not that the sound is similar, it is the spirit that is behind the melody that strikes a comparable chord. I asked her what her thoughts were about my analogy and she was humbled.

Sara: "I love Keith Green, so I love that! Thank you. I love the way he just put his heart out there and didn’t think about what anyone else was going to say about it. I just love that raw honesty and I want to be that way. I just want to put it out there and let it be what it is."

     Her manager and best friend Troy, who also happens to be married to her, started out in Radio Advertising. During their early years of marriage, Sara was an English teacher who also taught History. I asked Sara if they had any idea that God would lead them to where they are today.

Sara: "Absolutely not! You know we were focused on our careers at that point and I really did not want to be travelling on the road. But God has brought us to where we are today and we are so blessed to have been chosen to be used this way and are thankful for whatever He has planned for us."

     As far as traveling is concerned we all know that when children are involved things start to get a little tricky. Since Kirby and Toby are both of school age I asked Sara if she home schooled them while on the road and if they plan on continuing to travel.

Sara: "I have been doing some home schooling, while we are on the road. However, the schools back home have been really helpful to us and we appreciate that very much. We do plan on slowing down soon. We have a Christmas tour coming up and after that there will probably just be a few single dates here and there so that we can focus more on the kids and our family."

 

    

 I know the road must get weary and many of the social aspects they face can get tough so I asked if there was a certain scripture that she continually reads for comfort and support. Without any hesitation out of her belly came these words of living water.

 

Isaiah 41:9-10 "Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

Sara Groves may be slowing down on tour, but her heart will continue to sing and our hearts will continue to be touched.

Learn More About Sara and Her Music Here

 

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