Janet & Joe - October 2,
2001
Janet and her husband Joseph are fictitious
characters, but they have become very good friends to me
over the past year as I created their story. I'm not sure
when the idea for this song came, but it is one that I
completed in pieces over a long period of time. When I
write a story song like this one, I picture it as a
mini-movie and I am writing the screenplay. I want the
characters to come alive in a way that speaks directly to
the listener's heart. They should be real, like someone
we've known or been at one time or another. And like any
good story, we should come away with an insight that
makes us strive to be a better person.
Janet & Joe is about marriage and the joy and
peace that come from faithfulness. The whole story takes
place as a series of flashbacks by an elderly couple as
they rock on their front porch. They have found what the
modern, confused world is desperately seeking ...
contentment. As they reminisce over the high points in
their life, including their first home and baby boy, you
can sense the untold struggles that we all face along the
way. The instrumental interlude was written to reflect
just that. The complex chord structure and progression
represent the fact that even a relatively ordinary life
is complex and difficult at times. The steady rhythm
represents the relentless march of time that keeps
pushing us forward regardless of what we face.
OK, enough music lit. class for one day. The mystery
of the empty rocking chair and the main message of the
song are found at the end. The message is simple ... a
successful marriage is based upon and built around God.
With so many couples calling it quits and walking away
from their marriages today, I think you would have a hard
time finding a broken marriage where both parties say
their relationship always put God first. To experience
true peace and joy in marriage, God should be involved
and included in every aspect. He should always be as
close as the third rocking chair.
I pray that the message of this song speaks to you no
matter where you are in life. If you are considering
marriage, please take your commitment very seriously.
Marriage should be a permanent condition, not just a
try-it-to-see-if-you-like-it affair. Take it from us,
that "for better or worse" part is in there for a reason,
that God can guide you through any valley. If you are
married but your marriage isn't resting firmly on the
foundation of God, make what you have even better by
turning your marriage and lives over to Him. If your
marriage is on shaky ground, you can choose to let the
hard times destroy it or build it into a stronger
relationship. God never desires a marriage to fail, and
if both parties will let Him, He will heal, protect and
deepen the bonds of love. And finally, if you are like
Janet & Joe and can look back on many years of
successful married life, enjoy it! You are reaping one of
life's richest blessings because of the seeds of
faithfulness you have sown. And always remember you are
an example for the rest of us ... living proof that
marriage as God designed it really does work.
