Music unwrinkles me. It unties my knots, it untwists my kinks. It ungarbles my thoughts, it eases my pain. It speaks to my heart, it soothes my soul. Whether it’s through singing, playing the piano, or just listening to others perform, music has always touched me in a way that nothing else can.
Most of the time, I have music playing in the background of my life. Even though I love every genre of music – except for disco, that era was just unfortunate – I began listening to contemporary Christian music when my kids were small. I made that choice because it was uplifting and clean, and the lyrics spoke of things I wanted their little minds to be shaped around. Well, in the process of shaping my kids’ minds, I became hooked myself.
So, even now – while I’m getting ready in the morning, driving in my car, or as I putter through my days at home – I pretty much always have this music playing. Sometimes I’m aware of every word, other times it’s simply the melodies in the background that I hear. But it’s always there – familiar, uplifting, and comfortable.
The remarkable thing to me, though, is that I have grown so much through this practice. I can’t count how many times the lyrics have been just what I needed to hear EXACTLY when I needed to hear it. Talk about faith-building! And I can’t tell you how many times just a little phrase playing has invaded my rambling thoughts, caught my attention, and spoken straight to my heart.
Most importantly, I can’t tell you how many times just hearing those phrases have reminded this sinful, scatter-brained girl that there even is a God. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but sometimes I get so caught up in my tangles that I forget this. That’s terrible, isn’t it? To forget that there is someone other than me who’s really, TRULY got everything under control? Apparently I desperately need these reminders playing constantly.
So, music is a gift that’s been laid on my heart straight from God. While he obviously uses it to entertain me, he also uses it to center me, as well. Over and over again. He keeps me centered on him. In his own loving way he reminds me that I don’t have what it takes to do any of this on my own. Not without him. Not even a single breath. How could that ever slip my mind?
Since “Growing Nurse Debi” is all about sharing the lessons he’s teaching me, there are times when I’ll be posting music that’s speaking to me at that moment. Please know that anything I share has stopped me in my tracks. God has used it to reach down and center me. Again. I pray you’ll take a few moments to give them a listen, and see how God centers you, as well.
Tonight my thoughts were all tangled up in a ball when Big Daddy Weave’s “Redeemed” came on. The words grabbed me and reminded me that nothing else is important. Relax. Breathe. Be thankful. This is all that really matters. Really.
Thanks for growing with me. ❤
Growing Nurse Debi 