Matthew West’s Proudest Parenting Moment: ‘Their Spiritual Growth’
By Movieguide® Contributor
On a rare snowy day in Nashville, Tennessee, Christian artist Matthew West and his wife Emily sat down to share their proudest parenting moments.
As a touring musician, Matthew is on the road away from his family more than he would like, and he shared that one of the things he’s most grateful for is how his wife has been there for their two daughters. The couple shares Delaney Ruth and Luella “Lulu” Jane.
“I probably don’t tell you enough, but the way that you lead, the way that you raise our kids, the way that they don’t have a doubt in their mind, you know, that you’re in their corner, the way that you lift them up, the way that you pray for them, is truly inspirational.” Matthew told his wife. “Our kids are who they are thanks, in part, to how you loved them and raised them.”
Emily, however, was not going to accept that their daughters’ godly character was her doing. Instead, she praised the Lord’s work through the Bible to speak to them.
“I think, looking back now… I’m thankful that we pointed [LuLu] to her Bible specifically in good, in bad, in heartbreak, in loss, in confusion, in big decisions. You know, we pointed her to the word as much as we could, and I see that in her,” Emily said. “I was talking the other day about how sometimes I’ll see her Bible laying on the counter, and I’ll flip it open, and it’s just full of post-it notes and ‘Lord show me this’ and underlined things and highlights, and she truly has done that, and I’m so thankful with both our girls – Delaney’s the same way – that in good and bad…we’ve said go your Bible. Go to Him in prayer. Lean into the Word.”
“I think that would be the thing I’m most thankful that I feel that we have done. No parent is perfect, we’ve certainly had our struggles, you know, just as parents figuring it out, but I’m really thankful that she has that solid foundation,” Emily continued.
Matthew agreed that seeing their daughters spend time with the Lord brings him joy. He’s incredibly thankful they have a solid faith and know how to turn to Christ in all situations.
“I don’t know that I’m ever prouder of my daughters than when I see their spiritual growth on display,” he said. “Like, they could sing in a play, they could, you know, get and A on a report card, all of that’s well and good, but seeing my daughter reading her Bible, my buttons will pop off my shirt.”
“Seeing my daughters with their hands raised worshipping Jesus, like, seeing my daughter at Passion conference,” Matthew continued, “those are the moments where I’m like, you know, just beaming with pride because they’re seeking their heavenly Father.”
Matthew has also collaborated with his daughters musically.
Last Father’s Day, he released a duetted version of his song “Before You Ask Her” with daughter Lulu.
“After performing the track last year at her dad’s headlining Ryman Auditorium show, Lulu had the idea to pull off the ultimate Father’s Day surprise by recording her vocals and reaching out to his team to release the reimagined version of the song,” CCM Magazine wrote.
Lulu documented the entire process and shared her dad’s surprise in a YouTube video. “That’s the best thing I ever heard,” he said after hearing her version of the song. “That’s your song…that’s my favorite thing ever.”
Movieguide® previously reported on West:
During his first podcast episode of 2024, Christian artist Matthew West explained how a resolution last year set the tone for 2023 and shared what he plans to focus on in 2024.
“This season, as I look behind me in the rearview and I look at 2023, I see a season where I felt like the Lord put something on my heart – that theme of my story, your glory – and then the question is, ‘What are you going to do with that? Am I going to sit on it?…Or am I gonna step forward? Am I gonna run my race with perseverance and keep my eyes on Jesus and say, Lord, how do you want me to spread that message with the world?” he said.
The singer explained that he lived out that theme through songs like “Me on Your Mind” and “My Story, Your Glory.”
That commitment to pursuing what God places on his heart at the beginning of the year is something West hopes to recapture this year.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
