Songs
Songs have a unique power to influence our thoughts. Anyone wake up singing “We don’t talk about Bruno, no, no, no?” After scrolling through reels, do you ever have things like “isn’t this easy” or “go Little Rock star” running through your mind as you’re trying to work? There’s something powerful about the combination of words and music. It stays with us. In hard times, I find that songs are quick to flood my mind. When my heart aches and it’s hard to turn to Scripture, music brings such comfort. Music, especially in church, is a heated topic. But we can all agree that it has power. This is why we should be particular. Not about how our songs sound, but about what our songs say. I listen to all kinds of music. Encanto soundtrack is a recurring play on Apple Music. I don’t only listen to Christian Music. But it fills up most of my ear space. I have felt its power.
I have songs that were on replay during difficult seasons. There are specific songs that take me back to working through my own trauma, struggling through infertility, Kai’s adoption process, our China trip, Ella’s adoption process, our India trip and many seasons in between. 10,000 reasons has become known in our house as Kai’s China song as it plays in the background of the video we made for Kai’s adoption and Christ is Mine Forevermore is Ella’s India song. I will never be able to hear those songs without thinking of those sacred moments. Music that reminds us of who God is, is powerful. Songs remind our hearts of what is true. We can sing songs to remind each other of what is true. I have heard it said that people may remember a point or two or a few verses from a sermon, but will leave humming the songs we sing. Singing songs with true theology about who God is matters. When your heart is heavy, sing. When you are filled with joy, sing. Sing the truths you need to hear. Sing the truths your kids need to hear. When you can’t speak of God’s goodness because life hurts, sing. If that is too hard, listen to someone sing.
One of my all time favorite hymns frequently comes to mind, when my soul is weary. I heard this song over 10 years ago. It was written in 1760. These lyrics have encouraged my heart often to turn to Jesus— in all of the hard seasons— oh may I ever find access to breathe my sorrows there.
Hast Thou not bid me seek Thy face, And shall I seek in vain? And can the ear of sovereign grace, Be deaf when I complain? No still the ear of sovereign grace Attends the mourner's prayer Oh may I ever find access, To breathe my sorrows there. (Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul)