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A few years ago, things were flying high for the artistic career of Nichole Nordeman: a smash hit radio single ("Holy"), a best-selling album, and a long line of Dove Awards. Then she and her new husband learned she was pregnant-a definite cause for celebration, but also a little ahead of their planned timetable. Suddenly, the acclaimed songwriter found herself rearranging her life to prepare for motherhood reinvesting in relationships with family and friends. Now she's making a highly anticipated return to the music scene. How has her perspective changed and how is it reflected in her songwriting today? Nordeman was all too happy to get together for lunch to talk about the whirlwind of change in her life the last two years, and how it led to the creation of her latest album, Brave.

The last time we saw you was at the 2003 Gospel Music Awards-several months pregnant and winning a slew of Doves. Was it always your plan to take this sabbatical?

Nichole Nordeman Yes, once I found out I was pregnant, which was a surprise in itself. My husband Errol and I always wanted to have kids eventually and we had our own little timeline planned. But I think the unexpected pregnancy was God's way of saying, "I know what a workaholic you are, and the only way parenthood is going to happen is if I surprise you!"

It was also a wake-up call to slow myself down. My personality is all or nothing-I can't do anything middle of the road. I knew there was no way to partially slow down after having a baby, and it would have been unfair to the child if I tried to live my life as if nothing had changed. So I just felt the need to put the brakes on and take a full year off without even thinking about anything musical. I even told my worship pastor, "Please don't ask me to sing, because I can't do this much." I basically became a stay-at-home mom for the last two years, and it was really amazing.

How hard was it to get back into songwriting when the time came? Did you file away songwriting ideas in the back of your head during your sabbatical?

Nordeman No, I never even touched my piano for most of that time. It wasn't a bad thing. I just wanted to be a mom and spent all my time trying to figure out how to do that, and what that meant. I just had to trust that when it was time to start writing again, I would have a lot to say and God would help me remember how to do that.

Hence the title of the new album and your willingness to walk away from your successful career to focus on starting a family.

Nordeman Yeah, I was actually thinking about calling the album Stupid or Crazy. (laughing)

What specifically inspired the title "Brave?"

Nordeman My [two-year-old] son, Charlie. I'd gotten to a place in life where I marked my path and plodded along, keeping everything ordered and organized. And then here comes this little wrecking ball named Charlie who completely dismantles my heart and my life. You sort of collect the pieces after that and realize that you want to do anything for this child.

But it's not necessarily a song from mother to child either. It's written to be about anyone in your life-your father, your best friend, or ultimately God. It's about that special someone that has the power to uplift us by cutting the bonds of fear and making us brave.

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