WHOA That's Good Podcast - Taking 8 Years Out of the Spotlight Didn't Stop God's Plan for Me | Sadie Robertson Huff & CeCe Winans

Episode Date: March 26, 2025

CeCe Winans lives a life testifying to God's goodness in EVERY season. Her rendition of "Goodness of God" has had such an impact around the world, and today, Sadie gets to sit down for an in-person chat with this music legend. CeCe candidly shares some of her biggest regrets in parenting, why she wouldn't trade God for anything, and says that one of her greatest strengths is knowing that she NEEDS God. CeCe explains that the generations of women who influenced her in her marriage, relationship with God, and music career are the reason she started the Generations Live Conference, where she hopes to bring women from every age bracket together to learn from each other and encourage one another! As CeCe says, there's no way we should go to the grave without pouring out everything that God has poured into us. You'll be so encouraged listening to this conversation — and to CeCe's latest album, "Believe For It!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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I am so glad that you're here. Hi, I'm so glad to be here. In good old Monroe. I told you she was just shy of Hotel Monroe making its grand entrance. That's right, that's right. I'm so excited for you all. Thank you. It's the little things in a small town

you get excited about. That's right. Which I think is sweet. Yeah, it is sweet. Which I think is really sweet. It really is. I love living in a small town. And this is a big reason to get excited that you're here.

And so thank you for coming in a day early and doing this podcast. You got it. Such a gift. Thanks for having me. I just told you this off camera, but I want to tell you this on camera too, because I want people to go on the journey

of listening to your music if they're not in the pattern of already doing that, which many are. But getting to prepare for anyone coming on this podcast is a gift because we have so many incredible guests. But preparing for you to be on, I've been so inspired, so encouraged. I was just telling you, I listened to your whole Goodness of God album this morning,

which is like an hour and a half long. I was about to say, you got a lot of CC in there. I really did. I went to church. I didn't plan on listening to the whole thing, but I had it on to do my makeup, and then I had it on doing my hair, and then I had it on in the car,

and then when I got to the office, I'm like, why do I need to go in? I'll just sit here and work and keep it on. And I was just like so filled up, and I just thought to myself, man, I need to do this more often. And you know, I always have worship on, but the way that you minister through your worship

is so powerful. I just thought, I mean, from any believer who's loved the Lord and followed Him their whole life or a first time, never listened to worship music, it's just an amazing place to be. So everyone go listen to that whole album through you will be highly blessed. But I gotta ask you the question I ask everybody

that comes on the Will It Skip podcast first, and it's a big question, okay? But the question is, Cece, what is the best piece of advice you've ever been given? That is a big question, but I mean, the best piece of advice was to get to know the Lord, to love Jesus, to give your heart to God, you know, and I was told that as a kid, you know. So that's the best by far. That is pretty good.

The best. But outside of that, I mean, I've been, when you've lived as long as I lived, I've been given so many great pieces of advice. So it's hard to say the best. So I'm just gonna give you a good one. And that is really, live what you preach. Mm-hmm. That's really good. Live what you preach, live what you sing about. It's really good.

You know, I haven't had too much time to spend around you, but everyone that has talked about you to me has said, she is exactly what you would think she is. And that it's so cool coming from you. That's your best piece of advice. And that's what people say of you. So to say that you're living what you're preaching, I would say you're doing it pretty well.

Oh, praise God. Praise God. That's the goal. It's beautiful. I love that. You know, going back, when did you get to know the Lord? Have you known the Lord from a young age? I've known him from a very young age. Thank God I was born into a Christian family. My mom and dad both were strong believers

and taught us the word of God. I come from a big family, for people who don't know. My mom and dad, they met singing in a youth choir. Got married really young, but they had 10 kids. So it was 10 of us. We were talking about pregnancies earlier. God bless your mother. Hey, I know you have girls, but she had seven boys straight.

I was the first girl. And it was back then when they didn't have the ultrasound. So they were like, so when they told her that she had a girl, she was like, what? Are you sure you got the right chart? That is wild. And I have two younger sisters, but we all sang growing up. So I would say at the age of 12

was really a personal decision. Wow. You know, but I fell in love with the presence of the Lord as a kid. And I'm so glad I did. And it meant a lot. And I try to encourage parents. It's a great thing to have your kids in church around,

like you were saying, listening to worship and hearing, because they get to learn the presence and sense the presence of the Lord at a young age. So, yeah. That's sweet. It's so cool. So my daughter is about to be four and she typically goes to the kids' class,

but she asked me the other day, she said, mommy, can I come worship with you? I was like, yes. Yes, you can. That's awesome. I love it. And it's just so sweet just getting to worship with her and I'm seeing like she loves being in here, you know?

And so I love how you said that you love being in the presence of the Lord and I'm already seeing that in her. And I'm like, I love that you love to be in here, you know? Love that you want to be in the adult room worshiping even in the kid room. So it's really cool. That is awesome.

What were you like as a kid? Were you a little performer, entertainer? Like, was that the type of personality that you had? Or what were you like? No, no. I never liked being out front, ever. What type of kid was I? I don't think anybody's ever asked me that question before.

Really? I don't know. I was not one that liked to be out front. I loved having fun, you know, with my siblings and my friends. Always loved singing, but I loved being, like we had a kid's choir or singing in the background. Singing was always a part of our home, all of us sang. So that was something that I loved.

In school, I think I was probably kind of quiet on the quiet end, but not at home. That's exactly how I was. I was really shy in public, but not at home. Not at home. We were just family at home, you had fun. You know, so, but pretty simple. You know, I like simple things.

And I think I've continued that way. Sweet, I love that. When was your first, like, I don't wanna say, well, I guess I shouldn't say performance, but when did you realize, like, you were really good? That was really good. I don't think I've ever realized that I'm really good. That was really good. I don't think I've ever realized that I'm really good. But, like my first solo, I was probably about eight years old. And I didn't want to do it. My parents,

you know, back then they could care less what you wanted to do. You're going to sing this song. They knew I could sing. So I sang this song and I cried. It was called Feel My Cup Lord and I cried, it was called Feel My Cup Lord, and I cried through the whole thing, and my friends are laughing, and. At eight years old. Yeah, eight years old. And then they had me do it again. So it was a song I sang at this, Convocation is what we used to call it, meeting, every year.

And every year almost I would just cry, right? I would make it through, but I would be crying. And I can remember looking at the audience while I'm singing, and something just kind of hit me that it was someone bigger than me, a part of while I'm singing, you know what I'm saying? I'm feeling the presence of the Lord. So it kind of went from me being fearful to'm feeling the presence of the Lord. So it kind of went from me being fearful to actually recognizing the presence of the Lord. Wow.

So we all, again, we all sang. So I knew I had a voice. I grew up in Detroit, Michigan. There's some great singers in Detroit. Great singers in Detroit. So I heard better voices than mine every day, you know. So I heard better voices than mine every day. You know? But, but probably the age of 16,

I kind of knew this is what I want to do. You know, that it was, growing up I just really thought, I thought everybody's family sang. It was nothing that was really special. We didn't know until we got older, oh, wait a minute, this is not the norm. You know?

So probably about 16, I started doing some background vocals for Andrea Crouch and different well-known singers at the time. And that kind of started my journey. Wow, that's so cool. It's so beautiful that even at such a young age, you would cry, like leading worship and singing. You had such a sensitive spirit. Sensitive to the spirit. I heard somewhere just how close you were with your grandmother. And I love hearing you talk

about your grandmother, because I'm really close to my grandmother and even my great grandmother, and just so grateful to have their voices. What a blessing. Oh truly, such a blessing in my life. Oh my God, you have your great grandmother too. Isn't that wild? She'll be 94 next month. Hi.

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My favorite is the watermelon and the raspberry. I just think those taste the best. But you can get your free Element sample pack with any purchase at drinkelement.com slash woe. So you can try it and make sure you figure out which one you like the best. Try Element totally risk free. If you don't like it, they'll actually refund your order. No questions asked. That's drinkelement.com slash woe, D-R-I-N-K-L-M-N-T dot com slash woe. I love hearing you talk about your grandmother. Was your grandmother or your parents, like speaking just deeper truths into your life at a young age, or do you feel like they were influencing some of that depth that you had, like your closest to them,

or do you think you just had a sensitive spirit to the Lord? Like, I wonder how much that generational impact had on you. I think the generational impact, I mean, we know that God designs all of us differently, but I know for a fact, the generational impact made the greatest impact. Because my parents were true believers, we couldn't listen to anything

but gospel music in our home. We were in Detroit, Motown Sound, all of that, but all we could listen to was Christian music. And so because we were music lovers, we loved all of it. We loved every style, every genre in gospel music. And so I think that had something to do with it, but I would, hanging out with my grandmother, she was a woman of prayer.

And so back then we had like 6 a.m. prayer. And whenever I would spend a night over her house a lot, I would go to prayer with her. So I'm hearing her pray. And I'm in the sanctuary and I'm hearing it and I'm around it. She was my best friend. I mean, I just really loved hanging out with her.

And being the first girl and the only girl for a little while, I would go to her house a lot of times. You know? Special. Yeah, very special times. But yeah, so I think all of that had a lot to do with it. Because, Sadie, by the time I was in school, I can remember going as a middle schooler,

definitely a high schooler, wanting to be at 6 a.m. prayer. That's where I wanted to be. That's awesome. And to me, it's just, I just remember feeling safe in this presence. And yeah, and I'm very grateful, very grateful for that. I love that.

I love that. It's my great-grandmother always says to me, like, you know, you have such a depth, like you ask questions beyond your ears. Like she says that to me, but I actually think a lot of it is because of her, because I've had, you know, cause when you're around someone so much older who has so much wisdom,

and you want to be like them, you start rising up a little bit. You know, like you desire to have deeper conversations, you desire to pray like them, to posture yourself like them. And so I do think that has a significant impact. I think so too, because you, when I look back, we laugh sometimes,

because when I find some pictures, sometimes I'm up there and I'm just with older women, like, oh, my grandmother and her friends, and I'm like smiling, right? So if you're spending time in a seasoned environment, more than you're just with your friends, and friends are fun, but if you have that type of rich environment, it has to have an impact.

It grows your maturity. It grows your maturity. I remember on the playground back in elementary school, that type of rich environment, it has to have an impact. It grows your maturity a little bit. It grows your maturity. I remember on the playground back in elementary school, I would always try to talk to the teacher, and they'd be like, go play! And I'd be like, okay, okay, but one more question. Which is so me now, too. So you've been old all your life.

I know, so me now. Oh, my friends always make fun of me. And I love my friends. I have the best friends. But my friends actually got me a rocking chair for my birthday, because they're like, you're part grandma. You're part grandma.

And I'm cool with that, okay? I love it, I know that's right. I know. It's a blessing. People hate on whenever you get the minivan and they're like, oh, I feel so old. I'm like, I was ready for this. I've been ready for this moment.

This is exciting. It's so cool to hear that you only listen to gospel or Christian music and all genres of that. I actually saw a reel that was posted. It was kind of going viral of you recently. And it was so funny, but so good, because you said, this is a little bit off topic, but I have to bring it up. I'm nervous to hear what I say.

You were talking about cussing. And'm nervous to hear what I say. No, it's good. You were talking about cussing, and you were like, if you stub your toe, there shouldn't be a cuss word that comes out. You should just say like, glory to God, hallelujah. Well, everybody laughs, and you're like, why are you laughing? And it was so good.

Well, it wasn't really from that necessarily. We just also happened to be talking a lot about that in our life, because we do messy conversations on this podcast. So we'll do like a messy conversation about tattoos or a messy conversation, like stuff that people feel is a little bit controversial. Got it, okay.

And so we've been working on one for messy conversations about cussing. Okay. And for me, I was really aligning with you and I was just saying like, it shouldn't come out because it shouldn't even be in there. There you go. And so, you know, and I was really aligning with you. And I was just saying like, it shouldn't come out because it shouldn't even be in there. And so, you know, and I was saying, I'm not trying to be like, you know, self-righteous

and say, you can only listen to this. But if you are just listening to these things, it just won't come out. So talk to me about, have you always been serious about what's going in? And were you serious about it, or was it just something you actually wanted to put in? Where did you find yourself in that?

Very serious about what I wanted to put in. Of course, when you're younger, you don't realize the impact or the importance of it. But again, when you have a relationship with the Lord at a young age, you fear the Lord. Nowadays, they don't teach you on hell a lot nowadays. It's true. It's true. When I was growing up, they taught on it a lot.

And even though I didn't have a lot of wisdom, I knew that's not where I wanted to go. Yep. So, it was probably part scared and part love. You know, as you get older, you realize, oh, it's the love of God. You know, I can't live without the love of God. But when I was younger, oh no, no, I'm not going to hell.

I can't do that. That's not where I want to hang out. So I believe that God was with me all the time, you know? And so I strived not to disappoint him. And because I wanted him to, which I know he'll never leave us or forsake us, but I wanted to please him. That was my goal and it's been my goal.

I have failed and messed up several times, but thank God for repentance. Thank God for his love. But when that's your goal, then what you listen to, what you say, how you respond on a good day or a bad day should always reflect his glory.

It's great. You know, you always consider him. It's great. I love that. That's great. You know, you always consider Him. That's great. I love that. Yeah. That is a, whoa, that's good moment. That's why we call this podcast, Whoa, That's Good.

It's so cute. You come on and you say stuff like that, and then you just gotta go, whoa, that's good. I wanna ask you, so you said 16 was kinda your time where you started to really pursue, like this is what I wanna do. Did you, when you started pursuing that, like, when was it that you,

it really became a career for you? Again, at that point, I don't know if I ever really got a chance to pursue. I realized that I had a gift. I realized that the had a gift. I realized that the Lord had anointed the gift. But my aim was just always, Lord, whatever your will is for my life. If it was to sing in the choir and use that gift,

so be it. Again, because being out front, really to pursue it meant you had to be out front. Yeah. That's not really what I wanted to do. So at 16, 17, I think I was turning 17, my brother and I got a call

to be a part of a Christian show called, not TBN, it wasn't TBN back then, PTL Club was the name of it. And one of my brothers and myself went down to be a part of a Christian group. And it was there where Tammy Faye Baker gave us a song to sing together. Lord Lift Us Up. It was Love Lift Us Up, but we turned it, she wanted us to change the words to Love Lift Us Up. Lord Lift Us Up.

And we did that and people saw that on television. That was my first experience of being on TV. And it was cause of a friend who was the musical director there,. And it was cause of a friend who was the musical director there, knew that it was a whole family that could sing in Detroit, Michigan. And they asked Bibi and I to come

and audition for the group. And so we both made it. And that really started, when they saw us sing that song together, people started asking for us to come to their churches and sing songs. We were like, well, we never planned on being a duet. Yeah.

So we had to, back then, we had the cassette tapes and so we had to get 30 minutes of music together. And so that started Bibi and Cece. Well. And we did that for many years and then we got signed to Sparrow Records and Capitol Records. So we, God blessed us to be able to minister to the church

and the world at the same time, the mainstream, because Capitol Records heard our music and they were partners with Sparrow Records and they released it on R&B radio. Wow. Yeah, so. That is so cool. Yeah, so it just happened. So I was 17 when I went to P-T-L.

We probably released a record when I was about maybe 20, because I think I was on there close to three years. And yeah. That is so cool. So that's the way it happened. It's so cool, like, because even now, you still have such a huge crossover with your music. Like, American Idol finale.

Hello. I mean, I was just telling someone about that this morning and I went back to find the clip and it's pretty amazing because that was the finale of American Idol. And there's all these other clips, you know, that they posted that night and has a million views, this three million and it's good. And then yours is 50 million views.

So like 50 million people listening to the goodness of God. Are you surprised by the crossover that your music carries just because it is, you're so explicitly gospel, like you do not shy away from singing and preaching the gospel. Are you surprised that mainstream has picked it up so much? I'm not now. Years ago, I realized, and I don't know what age I was,

probably when we came out, when we came out, Bebe and I, what was that, maybe about 20, I don't know, when we came out, Bebe and I, what was I, maybe about 20, I don't know, maybe about 21. And when we started singing, because of the mainstream airplay we were getting, I realized the Lord just allowed me to see that everyone needs God. They might act like they don't, but everybody does. Yep. And the Lord, I remember him telling me one time, the Holy Spirit saying, I just need you to be obedient. I know how to touch every heart.

Wow. If you just do it, I tell you to do, because everybody has a God place in their hearts. And so I stopped worrying about that a long time ago because it's easy to try to judge a book by its cover or this person wouldn't want to know about Jesus or this one. And it's like, there's been times when I've been in the audience where,

or should I say I've had an audience where nobody looked like they ever heard about God. And I've watched the Holy Spirit wipe them out. Wow. Where they're weeping, they don't even know what happened. But most of them do. Most of them are saying things like, thank you so much. My grandmother used to take me to church.

This person used to pray for me. I'm like, wow. Wow. So I learned that a long time ago. Wow, that's so cool. Yeah, God is amazing. Being married to Christian is such a gift. And I'm loving this season of life

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I was thinking about that today, as I was just thinking about your life and the impact you've had, because our family, we came from TV, and so we didn't start in ministry. We came from TV. And so we didn't like start in ministry, we came from TV and then, and didn't even necessarily pursue to start ministry, we just loved the Lord and it was just a natural kind of overflow

of what was happening. And people have asked me like carrying the balance of having, you know, of following that was maybe from this show or that show, because I was on Dancing with the Stars. So there's a big portion of my audience that saw me on that. But then I'm like, now very much so preaching and all this stuff.

They're like, why do you think it works, that kind of thing? Because I think so many people who are believers, they're like, I don't want to sound too Christian because then I'll lose this audience. And I'm like, no, you don't really lose that audience because everybody needs God. And because everyone's long, because the fruit of the spirit is love and joy and peace. The things that people desire most in life, love, joy, peace.

And like, why would they not want that? You know? And I think too, I think people, even if they don't necessarily believe in it or think they even believe in it or know that they believe in it yet, they respect someone who truly does. Like you live it, you're preaching it, you're living it,

you 100% believe it. So it's inspiring. Like you see your life and you're like, well, it is working for her. And something about that is intriguing to people. How has that worked for you? You have a beautiful family, you have this longevity to your career, you have this integrity. And when you really think about it, it's like, it's gotta be Jesus. It's gotta be Jesus. Yeah. And that's the beauty in it. I'm sure you've been asked, but I used to be asked all the time, is it hard to balance

it all, or is it hard to live under the pressure? And it's like, no, because this is the way we live when the lights are on and when they're off too. You know what I'm saying? Does life get hard sometimes? Yes, of course. But thank God we have the Lord, you know. We know what to do.

So, yeah, it's very humbling because I know without God I'm absolutely nothing. I know I need Him. I think one of my greatest strengths is that I know I need Him. That think one of my greatest strengths is that I know I need them. That's good. I can't sing without them. I can't do anything. I can't be a good wife without them. I can't be a good mom without them. I just need them. And so I live a life of desperation for who he is, you know? And I think that's my greatest strength.

Because whenever we feel like we have anything to do with it, you're in for a fall. Yeah, that's so true. That's so true. One of my favorite verses is like, "'Unless the Lord builds the house, the neighbors labor in vain." And it's so true, and it talks about eating the bread

of anxious toil. It's so true, anytime I think I can do it in my own strength, the anxious, the anxiety, the pressure, it comes on. And then when you're like, let the Lord build the house, you sleep in peace. It's so true. That psalm is so true. But I love hearing you say that. You know, one of the, I think it was the first song in the Goodness of God album, you're like praying that the Holy Spirit would come and just the importance of the Holy Spirit coming and the power.

We actually just were in the UK last month and we went to church there and it was so cool because at the end of the church service, they just kind of like, someone got up, the pastor got up and she was like, okay, we're just gonna stop and we're just gonna ask the Holy Spirit to come in, to come in our lives, come in our heart.

And I didn't know what was necessarily about to happen because sometimes you go to churches and when they say that things are about to get like crazy, you know, but this is not like that. She just said, we're gonna ask the Holy Spirit to come in. And they said, because not only is your life hard without the Holy Spirit, but the call of God in your life is impossible without the Holy Spirit.

And when they said that, it was just like, man, it's so true. So then we just prayed. Everyone just prayed. And then she just started speaking scripture. And it was just so beautiful. It was so beautiful. I've never been in a church where, when they just invited the Holy Spirit, it looked like that, but it felt so beautiful. It was so beautiful. I've never been in a church where when they just invited the Holy Spirit,

it looked like that, but it felt so right. It felt so beautiful, natural. And it's really kind of struck me the past month since being home, I'm like, okay, I need to invite the Holy Spirit into my every single day life because I cannot do it without Him because it's impossible without Him.

And what do you think? Like, I mean, obviously I know you believe that so strongly, the whole song is like that, but like, what does that practically look like to invite the Spirit into your life? Because people who are listening to this podcast, they might be believers, but I don't think most people pray that.

Right, right. Oh, let me tell them, everybody watching, pray that, pray that. Good. But it's what you said. It's inviting Him in, you know, as big as God is, as much as He loves everybody, you have to invite Him in. And some people invite Him in some of their space, but not all of their space. And so it's the practical, get up in the morning, Lord, I thank you for another day, thank you for new mercy, having that time with them.

Lord, go before me, before we came, got on that plane today, Holy Spirit, go before me. Be in our time, be in the questions, be in the answer, so that you can be glorified. And so that I can have a good day. Yeah, that's real. I want a good day. And he's smarter.

He's smarter than I've ever been, right? He knows. I remember, I was in a ministry class years ago and I remember the teacher and I was grown, married. But it was like the aha moment, the light. You ever heard something, you've heard it before, but the light finally comes in, comes on. And he said, he said, you guys, we were talking about the Holy Spirit, invite him to come in, he said, because the Holy Spirit does not have to guess about

anything. Well. That light went on, I'm like, what? I'm going through life confused and perplexed. Wait a minute, he doesn't have to guess about anything? Oh yeah, I need to know him. I need to know. I need to hear what he has to say. You know, and so it's raising your kids, invite them in. If there's one regret I had in raising my children,

and I only have two, I should have invited the Holy Spirit in more. Because a lot of times we just do what our parents did, which was good. I feel like I came out pretty good. You know what I'm saying? But they're two different individuals. And the Holy Spirit has a plan for each one.

And it doesn't mean it's the same because they're under the same roof. So invite them in when you're talking with the Holy Spirit. I'm going in to talk to my daughter, tell me what to say. How should I pray for them? If you invite them into those mundane moments, everything you do, just make it, and you keep doing it until it becomes a habit.

You have to practice how to please him. And if you practice enough, it becomes, it's not just what you do, but it's who you become. It's great. So just every little thing, just invite him in because he's there and he wants to show you and he wants to give you grace and he wants to give you wisdom.

And he wants, he said, we're the head and not the tail. We're above and not beneath. And it's not to say we're blessed, it's to be a blessing. It's great. You know? So yeah, invite him, I invite him everywhere. I love that. I love that. I love that.

That's such good parenting advice too. Like, you know, in the thick of it right now, with a four year old, almost four year old, almost two year old, almost a third. And it's so interesting because I have felt like there have been moments where I'm parenting honey, and I'm doing what I like would have thought would have been the right thing to do,

or what I said I was gonna do. But something about it doesn't feel right in the moment. It's like, maybe I thought, okay, in this moment, I need to be like this, but then all of a sudden, I feel the Lord being like, you just go sit with her. And then, I sit with her, and something beautiful comes out of it. And I'm like, I would have thought it would have been better

to be, yeah, you know? And so I'm starting to see that. Because the Lord knows what's happening. And you said, honey, I have a grandbaby named Honey too. No way. My son's daughter named Honey. Oh, that's so sweet. But I love that.

That is so huge. If people who are watching will get that, especially young moms, because God knows Honey. He knows at that moment what is going to make the greatest impact. And sometimes it's not sending them to the room. Sometimes it is hearing them out. Sometimes it's not spanking them.

I grew up with spankings. I know people don't do it nowadays, but it works. But sometimes it's just holding them. You know what I'm saying? But when you invite them in and you put down what you think you know, he'll show up for you. And I think that would make a huge difference

in their lives and in your relationship. It's good. I think it is really important. I think a lot of people have asked me, what books did you read? What parenting style? And I try not to, and this is just my personal thing. I know there are a lot of great books out there. There are a lot of great books out there. And if you find one that resonates or someone tells you about it, definitely lean into that. But I was like, for me, I read like one parenting book and the way that I found myself feeling like,

oh, I need to stick to this, but then being like, well, that might just not be right. You know, like, that might actually just not be right in this moment. And I feel like sometimes you do that. You read a method or a parenting book, and you're like, okay, I gotta do this because this is the right way.

And it's like, who said that was the right way? That person who wrote the book. But like, what is God doing in this moment this is the right way. And it's like, who said that was the right way? That person who wrote the book. But like, what is God doing in this moment? And you're right, like every child is so different. Oh my word, Honey and Haven are so different. They are best friends, they are the cutest things, they look a lot alike, but personality wise, could not be more different.

I mean, Honey, if I get her in trouble, it is like the end of the world. Haven kind of enjoys getting in trouble. She thinks it's funny. Like that's gonna be a whole nother parenting thing I need to lean into the Lord with. If you've been following me for a while, then you know that I love spending time in the Word,

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because I am learning a lot from you, what was your second regret? You said you had two. Did I say two? You said that's one. Oh, well, the other one was I didn't have more kids. I stopped, I had a boy and a girl and I was like, again, doing my own thing.

Well, I'll just stop there. And kids are the best. You get a chance to actually mold someone's life and you're growing the kingdom of God too. And I had no issues or anything. I probably could have had plenty like my mom, but I was, you know, I was busy traveling and doing things. And my husband and I both agreed, okay,

we got a boy and a girl, then we're set. But that's a regret of mine. Wow, thank you for sharing that. It's actually really, that's interesting to hear you say like hindsight on your life, you know, because, you know, nowadays everyone's like going for it, your career, your this or that.

And yeah, I feel like- Building a family is just, nothing comes close to that. Man, I'm so encouraged to say that. And in going back when I said, as far as the inviting the Holy Spirit, because when you were talking about honey and haven, not only are they different, they both have different calls on their life.

I look back now, my son is my pastor, I'm like, oh my God, I look back, it's like, I see why he was so sensitive to people, he's a pastor, oh my God, he's gonna pray for her. That is so cool. Yeah, yeah. And my daughter, she sounded like she's probably more like Haven, at least when she was little.

But Ashley's really bold in the faith. She's a great teacher, really bold in the faith. And now I can see, I can look back now when they were babies and say, oh my god, this is exactly who they are. So they made it, thank God, through the mercies. Thank God. But I do know that if I would have invited the Holy Spirit in their moments, in raising them,

it would have been better. Wow. Yeah. Thank you for sharing that. That's so cool to hear you say. I heard someone ask you one time, if you ever thought about doing more solo stuff, not solo, sorry, like not just gospel, not just Christian, like did you ever think about doing your own?

And you said to them, I thought this was such a good quote, you said, once you find purpose, anything else is a step back. And I was like, whoa, that is so good. I want you to speak to that because so many people, especially in the age range of this podcast, are trying to figure out what is my purpose in life, and maybe they have their career,

or this or that or the other, but what was it like when you found that, discovered that, and how did you know this is what I'm supposed to do? Well, because your purpose really has, okay, my purpose is to please God. We all have the same purpose. Now, the gifts that God gives us and how he wants to use them to, yes, fulfill our purpose, but mainly to build His kingdom and to, you know, fulfill the call that's on our lives.

But the purpose, and I think this is where people mess up, they're so into their gifts and their ministries and their careers that we forget our purpose. That's true. Our purpose is to please God, is to, Jesus said, go make disciples. That's our purpose. And we use our gifts and talents to serve that purpose in a way. And the reason why it's hard for me to explain it is because like friends I'll tell you like this. I was I was at a life group at church and it was after the double wars I had sang at the double wards and when I got to church the next day because it was a Wednesday night

I think the double wars was on a Tuesday night and a young a young man was there He's like wow pastor Cece. I didn't think I would see you here today, you know. And I'm like, why? He said, because it was such a big night last night. And I'm like, but this is real life here. This is my purpose here. And I think we put the Bible says seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else will be added. Your career in ministry will be added. When you seek Him first and you seek the things that He loves, and He loves people,

He wants people to know who He is. And I think we worry about the other. We put the carriage before the horse. And the purpose is pretty simple. Just follow Jesus, be a disciple of Jesus, do what he does. And then everything else will be at it. If that makes sense. That makes so much sense.

That makes so much sense. Yeah, so a lot of young people is just like, chill out and just do the purpose. I love how you explain that. You do that. And if, let's say you're a singer and that's what you feel like you're supposed to do and God is calling you to do that.

He's gonna open up those doors. But if you go running after the doors and you lose sight of Him, then you got to keep it up. You understand what I'm saying? I didn't get myself here, so I don't have to keep myself here. That's great. It's a lot of work if you're trying to keep yourself here because, you know, God might call me to do something else. Like when He called us the pastor, I was like, you gotta be kidding. Are you serious? You want me to pastor? That was nowhere on my radar.

Ever in life. Actually, when I heard it, I was like, no. But I was like, yes Lord. And I stopped singing for probably about, I shouldn't say stopped singing. I kept singing in church, but I came off the road as an artist for probably about, I shouldn't say stop singing, I kept singing in church, but I came off the road as an artist for probably about eight years. And I was focused on doing what God wanted me to do.

And when it was time to come back, he was like, okay, it's time to come back. I was like, okay, Lord, you just do what you do. And he keeps doing it. That's great. I love how you explain that. Actually, I think it's so beautiful. One of the things that I'm so struck by about your life and so inspired by is the longevity of what you have been doing. How long have you been singing and poppin'?

Oh my God, a long time. Now, I can't believe it. I told you when I started 17, I turned 60 last year. So I'll be 61 this year. So what is that? What's the math, y'all? A long time. That's a long time. The math is a long time. I can't believe it. I don't know where time went, but it goes fast.

It does wild. It goes fast. Yeah, I tell everybody when I'm in concerts, like I started out, can you give me an autograph? Yeah, then it's like, can you give my mom an autograph? I'm like, can you give my grandma? That's awesome. And I'm like, I guess so, cause I'm a grandmother,

I'm loving it. That is awesome. But yeah, so it's been several, several years. Wow. Yeah. What do you think the, so one thing, I heard someone ask you one time and you told them, like God always has more, you know?

Yeah. God doesn't run out of more. Never. And I think people really fear that he does. I know. Like really, I think especially young people, like it's like, oh, I gotta do everything right now. But then to hear you say, oh, take eight years off.

Like some people can't even think about taking eight years off, but now you're still going. And not only that, but we already mentioned, you've literally sang at the American Idol finale last year and continue to win awards. Like not only are you still doing it, but like you're still doing more. I already mentioned, you've literally sang at the American Idol finale last year and continue to win awards. Not only are you still doing it, but you're still doing more.

Are you surprised by that? God always surprises me. Yeah, I stay surprised. I live in a state of surprise. That's so cool. It was such a good testimony to like, I live in a state of surprise because it's Him. It is a good testimony and you know,

one of the great things about getting older is that I'm able to look back and see the faithfulness of God. I'm able now at 60, 61 almost, I'm able to look at the scriptures and say, God, it was true. And I'm able to do that because I did give him my heart as a kid, and I was able to live for him through elementary school and middle school and high school and you know I was single just for a minute because I got married pretty young at 19 years old so been married over 40 years now you know raised two kids have

four grandchildren now and I'm like God you you're amazing. I wouldn't trade them for anything. In any of those stages, I wouldn't trade them for anything. Wow. Yeah. It was so beautiful. The Word of God is right, and it's right all the time. And to me, it's the best life to live for so many reasons, but the one I'll pull out is the best life to live because you're letting Him live it for you. That's really good. You know, it's so beautiful because

you are so beautiful. You really wouldn't know how old you are. I mean, you're not old, but to say 60, I was like, I actually am not sure how old you are. So I'm like, you're so stunning. But it's so important that people listen to stories of like your testimony to say like, no, all my life he has been faithful. I say, goodness of God, okay. It's so cool. Someone was talking to me, one of my friends,

and they were like, I love that song so much. And they said, I wish someone older would sing it and can really like testify to all my life you have been faithful. And talking about generations, I love that song so much. And they said, I wish someone older would sing it and can really like testify to all my life you have been faithful. And talking about generations, I said, well, have you heard Cece Winans sing it? And she, I don't know how she had, but she hadn't. And she listened to it.

She's like, that's what I'm talking about. Like I wanted somebody who had like the years to say it. And I think that like, we have so many incredible people who are influencing people on social media. I mean, now influencers. But a lot of influencers are young. And it's actually just really refreshing to have an influencer who has generations behind them who say, no, let me tell you something.

Through my singleness, through my marriage, through having kids young, through now having older kids and now having grandchildren, all my life he has been beautiful. And there's not a season in my life I would try to forget. Not one season where he's let me down. That is so encouraging. That's why, you know, as I said, listening to the album this morning, I'm so encouraged. Talking to you now, I'm so encouraged. The last thing I want to ask you is, you mentioned you've been married

for over 40 years. That's incredible. So many people who are listening to this podcast are in the process of figuring out who their spouse is going to be. Maybe they just got married. Maybe they haven't been yet. For you, you clearly have, from a young age, a deep love for the Lord, sensitivity to the Spirit. You had an idea of what you wanted to do in life. What would you say is super important in that life partner? When you look back and say, man, I'm so glad I married him because this is the 40 years.

I think people need to think a little more seriously about why they're choosing her, they're choosing. So Cece, we need your wisdom. We need your wisdom. Oh my God. That's a big question. It is a big question. That's a big question. Well, first of all, thank you for all the wonderful things you've said about me, but I always have to go back to those who went before me. And that's why I am honored, I am blessed to be here at this stage of life. And I pray that God would, you know, will allow me to live longer. Because those who

went before me had such a great impact on my life. That's why I even started the conference generations. It was like I knew it was my turn to pour into other people. That's great. There's no way, and I speak to women my age or older or maybe a little younger, those of us who have been here for a little while, there's no way we should go to the grave

without pouring everything out that God has poured into us. I owe him that, you know. And I'm here today because women prayed for me. They taught me how to live holy. They taught me how to be a good wife. They taught me how to pray. They taught me how to get my word. They rebuked me. They corrected me. You know, nowadays everybody want to be offended if somebody corrects you. You can't get it right unless somebody corrects you. That's good, yeah. And so I'm so grateful. And they did it all in love. So going to my husband, I remember

because I was very young when I fell in love. His name is Alvin Love. My last name is Love. Everybody don't know that. That is so awesome. I'm stuck with Winans because I kind of got known with the Winans, but Love is my last name. But I remember even as a 19-year-old girl who was so in love, I said to the Lord, I need my parents and my pastor, my spiritual leaders to have a peace about this because I didn't want to end up in a divorce court.

I was like, Holy Spirit, God, you can see 10 years from now, I knew I was just Google-eyed. You know, and so I submitted to that. And I remember when I met with my pastor at the time, he told us he wanted us to separate for a little bit. He wanted to pray and fast and we obeyed that. And they all gave me thumbs up. And in the tough times that we've experienced in our marriage, hey, I looked up to God and said, Lord, I did it. I did it right. Yeah. I submitted, I did it, you know.

And that doesn't exempt you from going through rough times, but he's with you. That's great. And if you submit to him in the rough times, he'll take you through. That's great. But you have to do it his way. You know, a lot of times in marriage, we want to give a piece

of our mind or, you know, no, the Bible says die daily. And so you have to do your part. You can't change your spouse. You do your part. And I remember times in our marriage where I was praying, You do your part. And I remember times in our marriage where I was praying, Lord, you know, Alvin's not doing this and he needs to do this and he's not doing this. The Holy Spirit would just be like, and what are you doing? And I'm like, what, me?

I know I'm not wrong now. But the Holy Spirit always, he always shows you you. And I learned as a young wife, that prayer really does work. Not your mouth. Cause they weren't designed to do what we tell them to do. They're the head. Even when you disagree with what they're doing, you know?

But again, if we line up with the word, then God will fight for you. So this has been times when I've prayed and then my husband would come back, you know what, I think I'm gonna do such and such. And I'm like, oh really? Well, praise the Lord. I'll be like, yes, yes, God, yes.

Isn't that the coolest thing too though? Because when those moments happen, it's like you feel loved by God and you feel loved by your husband. And it's so cool. I was so convicted of that though, early on in our marriage, because I actually think Christian,

my husband called me out for this because we were like in a little argument and then we both like walked away and he's on a walk outside and I'm inside and he comes back and I said something about like praying. He's like, but you were just praying for me, weren't you? Like for me to change my mind. I was like, yes, I probably should have prayed for myself too. But since then, since that little call out, I've been like, okay, this is two of us that definitely had a lot on me too. I might have something to do with this. I had a lot to do with that. But yeah, man, just learning. But that's why, like, whenever I say to people, make sure God really is your foundation. It's not just something you say, it's something that you actively put in.

You walk in, you believe, you keep Him there. You keep Him there. You keep Him there, yes. That cannot just be something that's just lightly said. I even say people say, oh, they're my best friend. I'm like, but are they really your friend? Do you treat each other like friends? Because I remember back when I was younger, people would be like, oh, but they're my best friend. I'm like, y'all are horrible to each other. friends, you know? Because I remember back when I was younger,

people would be like, oh, but they're my best friend. I'm like, y'all are horrible to each other. You're not even nice. Do you even have fun? Like, I don't think y'all are friends, you know? Sometimes we say these things, but it's not just a saying, it's really walking it out. And if you're really walking it,

it's when you get 40 years down the road. That's right. And like you said too, when you say two people submitted to the word of God can make it, but you both have to be submitted to the word of God. And like you said, if that's your foundation, because when you might not be able to come together, the word of God will tell you,

or a godly person will tell you how to get past that. It's great. But if you're both submitted, then that means your main goal is to please God. And if your main goal is to please God, you're gonna please each other. Yeah, that's really good. Yeah, you're gonna please each other.

I love that. Well, I literally could talk to you all day long. I'm so grateful to get to have sat here for an hour and listen to your wisdom. I am, everything you say is so impactful but truly just your life testifies to the goodness of God. So thank you for just sharing your life with the public. Thank you for sharing your day with me today. And thank you, thank you. I mean when see you, I just, I'm just so excited because that's, that's my prayer for this generation is that God will raise up young people who love him

and just keep loving God with all of your heart because God will take care of everything else. Thank you so much. I appreciate that. And also can people still get tickets to your Generations conference? Yes, yes, yes. Go to Generations Live Conference, I believe.com it is.

Yeah, or you can go to my website. And yes, you can still get tickets. Come, come to Generations. It's May, it's Mother's Day weekend. Oh, that's sweet. Mother's Day weekend, so bring your mom and your grandmom and your sisters and your friends. Come to Generations conference.

Cause we're just gonna have to figure out how to get there. We're believing God for authentic move of God. So yeah. We'll definitely get there and go listen to her music today. You will be highly blessed. ["I'm On My Way To You"] you