Sing Anyway

Proverbs 28:12. "When the righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory."

I just returned from a meeting where the people love to sing. They believe in Holy Spirit leadership in their services, so each is free to select a hymn for all to sing, or if inspired, you are free to give a special presentation of song.  I love the preached Word, but I also am very inspired by song.

I came home feeling "great glory" as the Proverb says. Or in other words,I have experienced great beauty. There is no blessing like that of listening to beautiful harmony of song.  My emotions reach out to embrace it. That is why it is so important that the songs be positive and uplifting lyrics. I am very moved by music.

I have been in a singing family all of my life. My siblings and I sometimes accompanied my father's evangelism travels with song. My mother taught us the technique of four part harmony and the love of expressing it. I married into a singing family and as we blended our passion for music, we likewise instilled in our children the blessing of sharing the gift of song.

I never thought I would "hang my harp on a willow tree". I never intended to. However, after some time of heartache and hard times, I realized I wasn't singing. I could still be blessed by others singing, but the joy of  harmony in song on a personal level was not there.  I missed it and really worried that it would ever return.  It seemed that the lack of expression in song was a void that was more often being filled with depression and fear. That alarmed me!

Emory Austin said, " Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway".

So I began to ask God to help me to reach up and take my harp in hand. I'll never forget the day that He spoke to me and told me it was time to strike up harmony with my voice again. It was an audible command to me and I was scared to not obey. I have since experienced a restoration of beauty and glory in my life.  Healing began in my emotions. I have wondered how I survived without this gift He gave me. It's like I wrapped it back up and put it away and then He gently placed it back into my hands.

I came home from this ten day fellowship with so much blessing. When I was analyzing the benefit of my attendance, I was greatly blessed by the pulpit instruction of God's Word. But this was the year that the blessing of song was of greater benefit, I believe.  My heart and voice were so in tune. But the melody continues, and I have a song even though I am no longer in the presence of my singing friends. I am feeling " great glory" today, because I choose to rejoice! I am alone and I am singing.