child like faith Archives - Stanton Lanier

The new song Breathing Wonder just released today, June 1st. You can stream everywhere including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and all other music services, or listen below. I would love to hear how this speaks to you. As you listen, scroll down to read some of the story behind this piece…

If you have known me or my music for a while, seen me live in concert, or read other blog posts, you know that child-like faith and joy are a vital part of my story. These characteristics were present in life’s early years, but from my late teens into my thirties they were deeper down beneath the surface. I had good intentions about growing in my faith, being a good husband and father, having a successful career, and loving and leading others well. However, I took everything too seriously. These goals became more of a burden, which decreased my sense of child-like wonder, awe, and joy. By God’s grace, and through pursuing Jesus more, my life is being transformed, and I have experienced deeper peace and joy in my heart, life, and music as a result.

Breathing Wonder is filled with child-like faith, wonder, and joy. This composition is my first ever marimba concerto, featuring marimba as the lead instrument, supported by chamber strings and choir. I found the themes on the piano, but wanted to elevate the joy and rhythm. The marimba is like a child skipping through life. The main theme is in 7/8 time, which adds to the adventure. The secondary theme is 4/4 time and breathes more, with choir notes inspired by “they’ll take your breath away.” Some beautiful, wild azaleas became the artwork after their “singing” captured my attention on a spring nature walk.

My hope is for you and everyone who listens to be reminded of moments of joy and wonder from your childhood, and perhaps even a recent memory when you felt a sense of amazement at God’s creation or faithfulness in your life. For me, life is an adventure to live instead of a problem to solve. Adventures with Jesus leading the way are quite breathtaking, and filled with wonder. May His joy and wonder be an invitation and blessing to you today!

All together now—applause for God! Sing songs to the tune of his glory, set glory to the rhythms of his praise. Take a good look at God’s wonders—they’ll take your breath away. He converted sea to dry land; travelers crossed the river on foot. Now isn’t that cause for a song? — Psalm 66:1-2, and 5-6 (MSG)

Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in him. — Psalm 66:1-2, and 5-6 (NIV)

How does “Breathing Wonder” inspire you?

This week is the 1st anniversary of my 10th album Climb to the Sky. You can click above to listen above as you read, and visit the Climb to the Sky album page for the CD, MP3 Album, and Sheet Music. I am also including the music video at the bottom of this post for additional inspiration (filmed during a mountain sunset at 6,200 feet).

How do you “climb to the sky” in life?

This title track has such deep meaning in my story. I meditated on Psalm 139:8 “If I climb to the sky you’re there…” for quite a while before the music was revealed to me. This verse is rooted in the opening words of this Psalm, “God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight.”

There are many “broken stories” from my life which God has gradually healed and redeemed over time… Stuttering when I was five years old, which made me very shy. Getting glasses when I was ten years old, which I despised (I could still make a lot of basketball shots without wearing them). Having a sixth grade “girl friend” break up with me because I had not kissed her. Failing my first exams at Georgia Tech. Working as a shift manager in a carpet mill all but two Sundays every month. Over striving to succeed and meet people’s expectations during college and my early career years. There are others I have shared in earlier blog posts. What are some of your broken stories you need to climb above?

We are all on this “climb to the sky” in life. As children, we may have experienced this while climbing trees, flying a kite, or looking out an airplane window for the first time. As adults this can also come from life experiences we enjoy. I have found an eternal view to be most helpful. My “climb” is founded on a perspective that, one day at a time, life is an “adventure to live” instead of a “problem to solve” (credit to John Elredge from his book Wild at Heart). There is a sense of wonder and awe, and God’s loving kindness toward us found throughout Psalm 139, which is definitely worth a read.

As you hear the piano “climbing” with the chorus notes, join me in remembering to keep alive your child-like faith, to give thanks for life’s many blessings, and to embrace the adventure God has in store for you, by faith. He loves us and knows us more than we can comprehend.

How does the music of “Climb to the Sky” speak to you?

Breathing Wonder – New Song Story

How Do You Climb to the Sky?