Tonight I sang my kids to sleep. I haven't done that in a long time, usually their wakeful stamina outlasts my repertoire, but tonight they are suffering with colds and just needed a bit of extra mommy time. I have to say I'm the one who probably enjoyed it the most, seeing as they were both zonked well before I stopped. Sometimes I forget how nice it is just to praise God with a song. I love all kinds of songs from the old Psalty the Singing Song Book to Hymns and choruses we sing in church today. I'm not a "singer", I can carry a tune and I'm not shy (especially in preschool circles), but I'm no worship leader. I just like to sing. I love the poetry in songs. I like thinking about the message of the words. I like to place emphasis on particularly meaningful lines. I like being able to change the tone and pitch of my voice, trying different styles from jazzy to a more crisp classical sound. My favorite memories of singing include: washing dishes with my sister, long road trips with my whole family, singing around the camp fire while my Dad played guitar, belting out funny songs at camp, jamming at worship practice on Saturday night at church, and of course rocking my new born sleeping babies. Sometimes I forget what a privilege it is for me to be able to just burst out in song any time I like. I don't take advantage of that privilege enough because I'm worried about what someone else might say, or I feel like there's no time, or I'd rather talk on the phone or read a blog or escape into some quiet time. I'm so glad I have kids that ask me to sing to them or I might forget my voice altogether and lose that connection with my savior that I've had since childhood. I want my kids to have that connection too, so I will sing on.
Some of the songs I sang tonight include: It is well, Amazing Grace, Ascribe to the Lord (Come & Sing Praises), Seek Ye First, Micah 6:8, Jesus He's the Way Maker, King Jesus is All, Beautiful, Make Me Like You (Servant Song), Be Still and Know, The Lord's My Shepherd (He Leadeth Me), The Love of God, Jesus, How I Want to Be Lord Just Like You, Jesus Loves Me...
What are some of your favorites?
God gave you an amazing memory for songs and I'm sure you sang every verse of all of those songs! I love it when something reminds you of a song and you'll sing it. Because often I'll think of the same song, but won't remember all the words :)
ReplyDeleteWhen Isabelle was a baby she was super colicky. I used to sit on my yoga ball and bounce her and sing songs. It was amazing what songs just came to memory...old sunday school songs, songs from summer camp, and whatever came into my head.
ReplyDeleteSongs are so connected to memories for me.
Some of my faves from when I was younger that I sing to my kids:
Love the Lord your God
Lord You Are
As the Deer
I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N
I will enter his gates
Shine Jesus shine
I love to tell the story