There’s Within My Heart a Melody
Music and songs have long been a great part of my life. My mother was a pianist and played by ear, which means that if she heard a song she was able to play it. My oldest daughter also has that ability; along with the knowledge of and the ability to read music. Even though I have taken piano lessons and can sight read the music, I am incapable of playing the instrument! When it comes to playing the piano, I took the Bible literally when it said, “Don’t let the left hand know what the right hand is doing!”
Songs and singing on the other hand come naturally to me. I love to sing and have the ability to easily retain the melody and the words. One morning, early in our marriage, during a weekend trip to my husband’s parents’ house, my father-in-law asked me how many songs I had memorized. “Haven’t ever really thought about it, but probably 150 or so,” I replied. He said, “I’m pretty sure that you know more than that, because you sang every one of them during your sleep last night, including all the verses!”
My husband says that I also talk in my sleep. Wonder why someone talks or sings in their sleep? Maybe it’s because we don’t have enough time during the day to say or do what we want. Or it could be that we relax enough or not fearful of ridicule during our sleep to say or do things that we might not otherwise do. It might be the same way with dreams. Not going anywhere with this, just wondering.
Now in the olden days when I was growing up…doesn’t that sound like the ramblings of a really old woman! None the less, during my youth we didn’t have a television, telephone, or any of the intriguing things that we have now to keep us occupied. Frankly, I thoroughly enjoy my I-phone computers, games, television, and other devices that we now have, and may be even more appreciative because we didn’t have them growing up.
What we did have was Sunday afternoon “Singing Schools” at various churches in the area, and since there wasn’t any other entertainment, the boys came too! Now, just where else would a teenage girl want to be? To make sure that the boys didn’t know I was checking them out, I paid a lot of attention to the music. Okay, let’s be honest here, I simply learned them by osmosis, and repetition!
The adults were wise, and one of the attendance requirements was that everyone had to lead or direct one song. Oh my! Since I was tall, skinny, and didn’t have a strong or pretty voice, this was uncomfortable for me, especially with the boys there. This was very intuitive of these old folks….who would have thought it! Whether we were good at it or not, we were able to get the experience of being in front of a crowd of people that knew and loved you. This built a foundation and confidence that one could actually do things in public without fear of criticism.
This has proven to be very beneficial to me in my personal and business life. Their actions and responses have aided me in so many ways, but reflecting on it has renewed in me that we really need to apply positive reinforcement to everyone who is trying to make it in this world, new Christians, people we come in contact with every day, even strangers…but especially children!
To this day, I can only sing one way…LOUD! My oldest daughter and I have almost identical voices and enjoy belting out songs as we travel. Today was one of those days! As I have said, we live out in a rural area so we have to travel about two hours to go anywhere. She has been going through some difficult times recently, and the joy in her life has been diminished. What fun we had singing the old stand by hymns. You know the ones that get your foot to tapping, your heart to racing, your emotions working, and your soul satisfied! One that usually makes me happy is “The Joy of the Lord is my Strength – It Makes Me Laugh, I Go Ha, Ha, Ha!” If you didn’t learn this one as a child, look it up on the internet, it will definitely raise your spirits!
Now I have said all that to say this, God loves to hear us sing praises to him. Not just so we can look or sound good, but because he is deserving of praise. There are so many good hymns that are comforting, or that express our thankfulness, his love for us, our prayers and pleas. One of my many favorites, or maybe I just like all of them is: “Fill My Cup Lord, fill it up Lord, come and quench the thirsting of my soul, bread of heaven feed me ‘til I want no more, fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!” Now, I can tell you from experience that if you sing that song with a sincere heart, it’s going to happen!
If it makes you uncomfortable, songs don’t have to be sung out loud. When I was typing that song in, I heard it in my head and sung it in my heart. Don’t limit them to church; if you are by yourself at any time, singing them out loud has an extra bonus. If you don’t believe me, try it sometime. Don’t you like for your children or grandchildren to hug on you and tell you how much they love you? God likes and enjoys hearing his children to thank him in song as well.
Why songs you ask? Well the great Psalmist David wrote songs so the people could commit them to memory and have them readily available. So we can commune with God without being distracted by having devote time to compose our words or thoughts - Because of our roots, and because we need to be rooted in God – Because children learn by osmosis – Because they need to know what a wonderful God we have – Because they learn by watching us! Sing to them: “I’ve got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Down in My Heart! Down in my heart, down in my heart, I’ve got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, Down in My Heart, down in my heart to stay!” “Oh Happy Day”
Thank you Lord for the wonderful Godly people you have put in my life, thank you that they gave of their time and energy, teaching the young people what a great a powerful thing that singing praises to you can be. Thank you for the writers and musicians that have put the words on paper, so that we can write them in our hearts.
My Granny Stella’s favorite song: “Rock of Ages” My Mother’s was: “The Longer I Serve Him, the Sweeter He Grows” My Father-In-Law’s was: “I Don’t Know Who Holds Tomorrow” My Father’s was: “Gathering Flowers for the Master’s Bouquet.” My Mother-In-Law’s is: “I’ll Fly Away” My Daughter’s is: “He Touched Me” My Husband’s is: “Oh Come Angel Band” Mine is: “I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day, still praying as I’m onward bound, Lord Plant My Feet On Higher Ground.” What is yours or your Families?
Enjoy those: “Precious Memories”
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