When God Uses Music to Comfort

     There have been many times when my mom has called me about a question regarding a song that popped into her mind one night as she was laying in bed. For some reason a specific word or phrase remained forgotten, so between the two of us working together, we usually come up with the last part of the song from our past. Though she has not done it in a long time, I still have old songs pop up in my own mind. Maybe some event sparks an old memory in the recesses of my brain, or something someone says makes me think of a line from an song years ago, but often the words or tune of a song will suddenly come floating in. 
     I love music. I love playing my flute, teaching it, singing songs with my girls, and I love to just sing when I am alone in the car and can belt it out where nobody can hear me. I find it odd though, that I can always sing my best when nobody is around. Maybe I am more relaxed and my throat muscles open up better, but whatever it is, I wish specials could be sung in a car! I remember how music was healing to me as a teenager. When I was dealing with an inner struggle, I would put on my favorite music and let the words roll over me. They would help me remember that Jesus is the One Who truly can help us through everything, and He is the great Comforter. He often reminded me of Scripture songs, to help emphasis a verse that was needed for that day. Certain songs bring back memories of our church gatherings we had, when we had love feasts, or special events with group singings. It always refreshes me when I hear someone sing a song I have not heard in such a long time, and I am glad to know others know the songs too. 
     The other day it happened again. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I am directing the play we are doing this year, because I am the one who wrote the story and know how it should go. I also wrote most of the songs included in the play. Well, last Wednesday I introduced one of the songs the teen choir is going to sing, which is a beautiful, old song from when I was a little girl. They obviously did not know it, and even though my boys may have heard me sing it a few times, my oldest was not going to help sing it even if his life depended on it! So, I had to go out of my comfort zone and sing this song to the group of teens sitting in front of me. Thank God He gave me my voice back after being so sick with a cold/cough for so long. I would never have been able to do it well if my voice kept cracking! I sang it through, and then we worked on parts with the other teacher who is helping me put together the music for all the songs. (Just a note on how amazing Mrs. Edwards is! She is the grandmother of the little girl who played piano on my previous blog. She is teaching her granddaughter how to play and they are both amazing when it comes to music. Thank God for her talent!) So, once we had the parts down, we began singing it through and it is hard to describe the feeling that came over me. Here I was teaching a group of teens one of the songs I used to sing, and it was amazing to hear all their voices join in harmony. I felt goosebumps as I heard how beautiful it sounded. It is going to be an awesome time to see them all up there on the night of the play, singing to the Lord, sharing how God's Word is the way to save souls. I pray the Lord will use all the songs, even the fun ones, to bless, convict, and encourage those who will be in the audience that night. I really hope you all can come. It is going to be a very different play, but the message that comes through will be very clear. Jesus is the only Way to Heaven. The Bible clearly states that message. So, tell your friends and come and enjoy this play on Friday, December 12th. I hope to see you there!