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Have you ever wondered what variables help inspire a song? I heard one songwriter say that songwriters don't have original ideas, just unique ways of getting their message across. Such as the case with the song "Jesus' Rocking Chair." We have all heard about the terrible tragedy Tim Greene and his wife Amy, faced 10 years ago when she suffered a miscarriage of their second child. Not long after that, Tim wrote the inspiring "Jesus' Rocking Chair" from a simple poem given to him from a young girl named Allison Stinson. That song became the Greenes signature song and blessed thousands of people and won many awards. We all heard the story of how that poem inspired Tim Greene to write the song. But, what inspired the poem? What trials did Allison have go through to write that poem? Before we answer that, lets answer the question as to who is Allison Stinson?

Allison is 26 years old and works in the Crabb Family's office handling public relations responsibilities including publicity on Crabb Family dates, develop and coordinate web site and internet projects, as well as "whatever else may need to be done at any give time." She also writes feature articles for the Singing News and still writes poetry and songs in her spare time. I asked Allison to share her story in her own words about her life and about the trials she has faced in life to inspire that poem that helped Tim and Amy Greene through one of their darkest trials and ultimately helped the world see the love Christ has for us…

When I was five years old, I attended my first Southern Gospel concert in my hometown of Honaker, VA. I have no idea who was on the program, but one of the groups on the outdoor event featured three young siblings from Boone, NC, The Greenes. I had never heard of The Greenes before, but Kim Greene captured my fascination. I followed her everywhere from then on. I was the typical "fan." I snapped photos; I got autographs, the whole nine yards. A few years later, I added to my heroine list, a beautiful person by the name of Amy Lambert. Amy was always so kind to me that I admired her just as much as I did Kim. Both of them inspired me to want to someday be a part of Southern Gospel Music. I began to pray at a very young age that God would open doors for me in this industry. I had also begun to write at a very young age, and asked God persistently to use my writing to reach out to those who were hurting.

When I was 16 years old, just after becoming acquainted with Amy Lambert and becoming truly fascinated with The Greenes' ministry enough to want to pursue a dream, I was diagnosed with Chronic Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. I attended The Greenes' Homecoming in 1993 on crutches. Amy Lambert and Amy Greene (Tim Greene's wife) were so sweet to me. Their thoughtfulness meant so much that I felt an instant bond with them. They genuinely touched my heart in a special way. That same weekend Tim shared that he and Amy were expecting their second child. They were already blessed with a precious little girl, Brittany, and the entire family was thrilled beyond belief. Later that week, Amy Greene was unable to attend the Homecoming as Tim shared that she had suffered a miscarriage. They were devastated. They had been so kind to me that I wanted to do something in return.

I was admitted into the hospital a month later with the second highest SED rate (measures the severity of the illness) that the hospital had ever seen. I also began Chemotherapy treatments because nothing else was aggressive enough to fight the inflammation and pain in all of the joints. I was homebound from school and became so sick from the treatments that I nearly died. My doctor told my parents that, if I were able to graduate from High School, I would do so in a wheel chair. I got out of the hospital just in time to see The Greenes as they were passing through my hometown. Tim, once again, shared the pain that he and Amy had felt during their miscarriage. I felt such a burden for them and knew that God was prompting me to help, but not quite sure of how I would do so.

The next night, I had a small pity party in my bedroom. All of my friends were at a football game, where I would have been had I been able. My illness had required me to give up Color Guard Captain and several other school activities. I was very envious of my friends on that particular night. I began to question "why" and feel like life was not fair. At a very young age, I knew what to do when I began to feel that way. I went into my room and got on my knees. I did not see at the time, but I knew that God had a purpose for what I was facing. I began to ask Him to comfort me and give me peace until things got better. I also began to pray for Tim and Amy because they were on my heart so strongly. I picked up a pen and paper and, without even thinking, wrote the words to a poem. There was a line in the poem that said, "just in case Mommy worries, tell her Jesus has a rocking chair." After writing the poem and reading back over the words, my first thought was that it was silly. I thought that Tim would laugh at me. I was terrified to give the poem to him, but something kept tugging at my heart.

Two months later, I gave the poem to Amy Lambert for her opinion first. She prompted me to give the poem to Tim, so I did. He was very touched and appreciated the gesture, but I thought that was the end. Another two months later, I learned that Tim had written a song from the line in the poem that said, "Jesus has a rocking chair." Tim's song, "Jesus' Rocking Chair," recorded by The Greenes was a number one song and captured "Song of the Year" at the 1995 Diamond Awards

That song was so special to me because it did open the doors for me that I had prayed about. It fulfilled a dream of mine. I also met many new people and heard numerous testimonies. However, the most memorable experience for me was that during the time that the song was catching on, I was going through the deepest darkest valley of my life. I traveled on several occasions with The Greenes. I would take treatments before I left. Many times, Tim would call me to the stage to recite the poem, and I would greet people at the product table. Then, I would go to the bus and sleep because I was so nauseas and in so much pain. At that time, I was not sure that I would make it. God used the poem and the song to comfort many families who had lost children, but He also used that situation to bring me through a very trying time in my life.

Despite doctors' expectations, I walked through my graduation line and completed four years of college in three years. Several years later, I became acquainted with the Crabb Family and now work with them full-time. With the help of doctors, medication, and most of all the grace of God, my Rheumatoid Arthritis is in remission. I have occasional flare-ups, but I am a daily walking miracle.

When we trust God with our futures, and allow Him to have control, He works in ways beyond our greatest dreams. He knows what is best for everyone. This story serves as a constant reminder of encouragement to me in times that I am tempted to not trust God and to do things my own way. I hope it will do the same for others.

Thank you Allison for sharing you story. No doubt, 10 years later, the song and the poem continues to bless and encourage countless numbers of people. Even now, as Tim Greene faces his darkest days with his serious illness, may the God who comforted him and Amy in those former bleak times, continue to bring peace and rest and most of all, healing to them today.

For those who have never heard the song "Jesus' Rocking Chair", to hear it in it's entirety, go here: http://thegreenesgospel.com/html/news.html and scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will find the song listed and follow the instructions for downloading the song. Also, below is the poem written by Allison:

JESUS' ROCKING CHAIR
Daddy I'm watching down on you
And I just heard you say
That you and Mommy lost a baby
How sad you were that day
I want you to know I love you
And I appreciate the thought
But if you could see me now so happy
And I'm so much better off
I know you and Mommy would care for me
And I'd be surrounded by love
But just remember I'm watching you
And I'm waiting for you above
I know you and Mommy wanted me
And so did my family
But Jesus had a pair of baby wings
And He needed me worse you see
For if I'd come to the world
And taken the Greene name
I might have only been a failure
And brought you only shame
But don't worry about me now
I'm safe and secure in His care
And just in case Mommy worries
Tell her Jesus has a rocking chair
So keep singing and preaching for Jesus
And soon you'll come to see me
The first thing I want you to do
Is sing a song for me
Tell Mommy I love her too
And I can't wait for her to hold me
I'll be waiting by the river
There's no way she could miss me
Tell my big Sissy Brittany
I can't wait for her to play with me
And until we all meet up here
Give her the love you had for me
© Allison Stinson

Reader Comments

Wow Allison.....that is absolutely beautiful!!! I had no idea what you have been through OR the poem behind the song!! I have tears in my eyes right now!! You're a special person...that is for sure!! I just wanted to say thank you Allison and James for sharing that with us!!!

Keep up the great work on CC Allison You have all of our love and respect!!! I don't know if I could have made it through everything you have and still be the person that you are. You're awesome!

Maleah

Dear Allison,
It's Jim's Mom, Janine. I really miss you I have been truly touched by the poem you wrote and the story behind it. I am so glad that SoGospelNews shared this story or we would have never known! May God continue to bless you and meet every need. Love and Prayers, Janine

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