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Lately, the weeks seem to be flying by. I think it might be because the days are crazy busy! Life is slowing down a bit since the frenzy of packing and the early unpacking is done. Now we are getting into the fine tuning of settling in. mixing colors with items that haven’t been in the same rooms before, etc.
Next week I hope to attack my guest room/craft room. I know it will be a big job so I decided to delay working on it until the rest of the house had a little more order.
But back to Five Minute Friday. Our word today is SONG. I think you have read the rules often enough that I won’t repeat them today. You can always read them at the Lisa-Jo Baker’s link if you want.
GO
Singing…
Sometimes it seems like a performance.
Technically it can be very correct,
But it comes through in a cold way.
Why? The words sound like words only.
Something secondary to the music.
As a child who was in church often…and seemed to have a propensity to memorize easily,
I picked up the words to the hymns we sang quickly.
Bible verses set to music stuck in my head much longer.
I sang in choirs in high school and college.
I think that was something that kept me sane.
It was a place I could be myself…and sing.
I still remember the words to a piece we sang in high school
From Ephesians: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour
Be put away from you, with all malice.
And be ye kind to one another….” (Ephesians 4:31-32) STOP
During most of those years, I lived in a place that often judged my motives
By their legalistic standards.
They thought they were GOD’s standards, but I’m not so sure.
Mercy or grace was rarely a consideration.
Justice was really injustice
Because we didn’t have the opportunity to defend ourselves in healthy ways.
Truth wasn’t really sought out.
They knew our motives without asking.
They were always right…even when they weren’t.
But they couldn’t stop the music GOD placed in my heart.
That oppressive environment made it difficult,
But not impossible.
In fact, those choir trips that ministered to others
Also ministered to my soul.
They filled it with wonderful words and music.
With joy and laughter.
With friendships and fellowship with fellow choir members…and those we visited in churches.
And freedom to get out of the confines and into the world of normal.
Are you pretending to have a song that isn’t really there?
Are you finding your song in difficult circumstances…and being surprised
that it’s still there?
I love how the song in our heart can bring us back to the Lord. No matter where I am or what I am doing, a good ol’ fashioned hymn can bring me back to HIM!
Great post- dropping in from FMF!
thanks for dropping by bonilady:) maybe it is b/c music is the language of the soul…and it expresses what is happening in our heart even b/f we know what is happening sometimes.
“But they couldn’t stop the music GOD placed in my heart.” Amen, sister! No one can steal the joy of the Lord. Thank you for sharing that scripture too! Something I am learning is how to walk in grace. It is a gift we often don’t fully embrace because we don’t find ourselves worthy. But he determines our worth and counts us worth more than rubies! Hallelujiah! He has put a song in our hearts!
Hugs,
Kelly (visiting from FMF)
learning to walk in grace…that has been a joyful lesson for the past 20+ years. learning to give it makes receiving it less difficult:)
Thanks for commenting. I agree – songs – can bring us back to what is really important. And I do sing when things get tough – especially God’s Word.
Blessings,
Janis http://www.janiscox.com
welcome janis:) your comment got stuck in my spam for some reason. anyway, glad you came by.
Great writing! I loved how you described music as your “safe-place.” And..I totally know what you mean about the bible-verse song thing. Even when I read through the Psalms, I can’t help but sing it in my head!
thanks for stopping by hannah:) music is such a gift isn’t it?