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Age: 43
Franklin, TN
Songwriter, recording artist, and author Michael Card has an impressive resume: He's recorded 21 albums, written 12 books, won 5 Dove Awards, and penned numerous #1 songs, including "El Shaddai." His latest ventures are the final CD in a series on the Bible, Soul Anchor (Myrrh Records), and the March release of his book The Walk (Thomas Nelson). His list of accomplishments is daunting—until you meet the man behind the work. Michael's a charming, candid man who holds family, friends, and faith at the core of his values. He and his wife, Susan, homeschool their four children (though she's taking a break this year to avoid burn out). He teaches a Bible study and is deeply committed to growing in a community of believers. TCW was able to talk with Michael after he'd finished teaching his kids a physics lesson.
Why homeschool your kids?
Early in our marriage, Susan and I read a book by a rabbi, Abraham Heschel, who talked about being a stranger to your child's soul. That phrase impacted us, and we determined we didn't want to miss our kids' childhood. For us that meant homeschooling.
But not everyone can homeschool.
Right. But it's important to realize that even if your children are in public school, the most significant part of their schooling still comes from you. So there shouldn't be any difference between the two groups. For instance, I'm teaching my children how to be friends.
How do you teach that?
I tell them about my first best friend, a man in my church. I was 6 and he was 65. He'd say over and over to me, "I'm on your side, right or wrong." There's something very Christlike about that. I want to show my children that while we may not like it when a friend does something we don't agree with, we can still stand beside her—as Christ does with us. That's a friend.
What amazes you most about God?
In Luke 6:35, Jesus says God is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. That amazes me.
How do you keep your faith vibrant?
I don't know that I do. Sometimes my faith's more a struggle.
In what way?
One of my strengths is that I'm intuitive. I'm able to write songs about people's struggles and God's truths. But intuition also can make me judgmental.
Have you learned to let that go?
I'm trying. After I hit 40, I realized it's not worth the wasted energy. So instead of complaining, I concentrate on doing what I do best, and let that be my protest. That's something everyone can do—no matter what the situation.
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