Jo Dee Messina‘s Bridges album is her first new record in 12 years. So much of country music has changed in the gap between Messina’s Me and Bridges, but so has Messina. In the dozen years between projects, Messina raised her two boys as a single mom, battled cancer, focused on her faith, and emerged a stronger version of herself. It’s all changes that are evident in all of the songs on Bridges.

Messina is full of joy, which she says is because of where is in life now.

“I think a lot of that comes from a position of gratitude,” Messina tells Everything Nash. “I am content being a mom to these boys. I’m starting a ministry. I love life, and so I love just being able to get up and face a day. I swear every day I roll out of bed, my first words are, ‘God, thank you for today. Thank you for today.’ And so, I think a position of gratitude is what you’re seeing.

“‘Cause when I get to perform at CMA Fest, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I get to perform at CMA Fest!’ she adds. “It’s not like an entitled kind of, ‘Well, of course I should be here’ kind of a vibe. It’s more like, ‘Oh my gosh. This is gonna be so fun!”

What Jo Dee Messina Wants Her Fans to Takeaway From ‘Bridges’

Unlike other records, where Messina’s biggest goal was huge album sales and hit singles, with Bridges, Messina is focused on sharing a message with her fans.

“I hope they find joy in listening to it,” Messina says. “I say joy. I hope they have a good time with it. And I hope that they feel seen. There’s a song on the record called ‘Can Anybody,’ and that was what made me put pen to paper, was a teenager that said, ‘I feel like my mom or my dad, neither one of them hear me. I feel invisible in my own house.’

“And that really broke my heart,” she continues. “‘Cause I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. But you’re so seen.’ And even as adults we feel that way. We feel like you don’t get my story, you don’t get my my situation. You don’t get my pain. So that’s really what inspired that song. It’s the story of many. It’s not just my own. I’m in there, but so are so many other people.”

Jo Dee Messina’s Strong Christian Faith

Several songs on Bridges reference Messina’s strong Christian faith, including “The Jesus I Know,” “If He Knew Jesus,” and more. For Messina, sharing her faith, especially through her music, is what she wants to be known for the most.

“I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this industry, and a safe place for these artists to go to when they feel like they’re getting crushed, so that I can turn them to Christ where you find peace,” Messina explains. “I mean, He is the Prince of Peace. And so, that is my goal. And only the Holy Spirit can change the desires of your heart. God can change the desires of your heart.”

Photo Credit: CMA / Josh Brasted