Michael W. Smith's life has been one truly impacted by God in many ways. One miraculous story was how God saved Michael from a life of drugs, alcohol, and despair. He had been associating with the people in the band that he played in, they were all living lives of drugs and alcohol as well. His roommate was even a drug dealer. There was one night in particular when he had sniffed what he thought to be cocaine but it was actually animal tranquilizer. Through out the night his nose had blood continually pouring out of it. His body and brain were completely damaged. All night long he prayed, "God, don't let me die, God, don't let me die."

Then one night in October of 1979 the turning point in Michael's life occurred. He had a nervous breakdown and ended up laying on the kitchen floor all night long. He knew that God had plans for him, plans to turn his life around. From that night forward God took a hold of Michael to do great things for Him.

Michael's family was a tight-knit family made up of his dad, mom, and younger sister, Kim. It was his family and his faith that most influenced him growing up. He became a Christian when he was ten and was extremely excited about his new found faith. He wore a large wooden cross around his neck and carried a Bible around. He and his friends would have large prayer meetings where they'd sing and worship God. Then things began to change when he and his friends got older and moved away or got married. That is when his life became mixed up and God had to intervene.

The Godly qualities I see most in my hero are tenderness, a heart for God, a desire to reach people, and humility. In Proverbs 15:33 it says, "The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility." From my knowledge about Michael he is a very humble man giving the credit to God for his accomplishments, and because of this God has honored him greatly. Michael is also a very tender man, and you can tell this through his music. He has said before that his music is a reflection of him. His songs "I'll Lead You Home" and "Breathe in Me" talk about someone pouring their heart out to God and him restoring and rescuing them.

Above all what I see in Michael is his desire to reach a lost world. He sings positive God-centered music that draws teens and people of all ages to Christ. His song "Old Enough to Know" talks about remaining sexually pure until marriage, and his song "Picture Perfect" talks about the real beauty being on the inside of someone.

In Ephesians 4:11-12 it says, "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers...for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ."

Michael has furthered God's kingdom by using his incredible talent, which includes singing, song writing, and being one of the top five keyboard players in America.

In 1990 when Michael’s Go West Young Man album came out he broke into the secular industry for a while, but he felt that even thought his songs were "good" songs that he should go back to the place where he started. With the release of I'll Lead You Home in 1995 he was clearly leaving behind what he had been singing about before in the pop field and addressing Jesus Christ and serious issues more. This is something I really respect him for...he had the time and chance to really get into the secular field, but he didn't. He has said before that he could never see himself singing love songs all the time like they do in the secular industry, instead his songs are about God, and about the love he has for his wife, and even about the tragedy of abortion as mentioned in his song "Calling Heaven".

Michael's qualities have affected my life because I can really see God through him. It has also showed me from Michael's own personal testimony that anyone can be saved and their life turned around,as well as, using your talents to glorify the Lord as he has done. Even though Michael is a human he is someone I greatly respect and would like to pattern my life after the good qualities that I have seen in him.

Michael's most memorable quotes that have impressed me the most are these two:

When Michael was asked about his being a father of five children he said, "It's hard, but it's fun. The hardest thing about [being a father] is when I fail, when I'm not consistent because I desperately want to be a good father."

Michael says that his prayer when he was out in the mainstream market was "Lord protect me, may I be a light, then get me out of here!"

Michael's life and music has impacted my life tremendously. I really feel like he's trying to reach my generation. His songs have really been an encouragement to me.His song "I'll Lead You Home" which was written out of Michael's plea to God for renewal, has blessed me immensely. Here are some of the lyrics from that song:

"Wondering the road of desperate life, aimlessly beneath a barren sky, leave it to Me, I'll lead you home. So afraid that you will not be found, it won't be long until your sun goes down, just leave it to Me, I'll lead you home... So let it go and turn it over to, the One who chose to give His life for you, leave it to Me, I'll lead you home."

Here is a listing of all of Michael W. Smith's albums:

The Story of How MWS Met His Wife.

One day when Michael walked into a studio he saw this girl sitting over on a chair and didn't think much about it and walked on. Then he sort of did a double take and thought to him self that's the girl I'm going to marry. So he got on the phone and called his mom and said something like, "Mom, I've just seen the girl I'm going to marry!" His mother answered calmly and asked her name. Then he said something like, "I'm not sure what her name is, but I've got to go find out."

He decided to sit down in hopes that she'd walk by, and when she finally did he followed her until she went into the women's bathroom. He patiently waited for her outside and said something like "Uh...haven't we met before?"

Shortly after he discovered that Debbie had a deep love for God and was gifted in writing songs. After going out for a short period of time they were married. Today they both are still married and live in Tenessee with their 5 children.~

Some cool Michael W. Smith Links!