Last week, I decided to let my Facebook friends have the floor on what I should write about next. One of the suggestions I received was “Music In Your Heart”, and it was fittingly suggested to me by my High school choir director Carolyn Riggins. Lots of fond memories with Ms. Riggins, such as first singing for her at show choir tryouts; Disney world; Cabaret night; and of course all those rehearsals she lectured me and the rest of the choir members to shut up and get ourheads in the game.
Music has played a special part in shaping who I am. If it weren’t for music; singing, I don’t know where I would be with my stuttering. It’s a blessing that my stuttering is nonexistent as I sing. Music is in me. But the question is, what music is in my heart?
This Is My Father’s World- Mattie Davenport Babcock
This first song I discussed in a previous post called All Nature Sings, so you may recognize what I’m about to say.
Last year, I went on a camping trip with my church family. As I emerged from my tent that one Saturday morning, shaking off the sleep, I was captivated by my surroundings. I was mesmerized by morning fog hovering on the Cumberland River; fish popping their heads to the surface and disappearing down below; the singing of the wind through the trees; birds chiming in upon tree branches, harmonizing with the wind’s song; and the toasty camp fire popping on the wood. As I beheld the scene, I thought of the first stanza of This Is My Father’s World:
“This is my Father’s world
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.”
This song reminds me that despite all the chaos in the world, from attacks by terrorist groups to rumors of nuclear war, this world still belongs to God. Satan has hand in what goes in the world, but God has us in His hands.
Pass It On- Kurt Kaiser
One song that I find myself singing everyday, even as I work, is “Pass It On” by Kurt Kaiser. If you are unclear of how the song goes, I am happy to give a demonstration with a video I did two years ago while sitting at a park by the Cumberland River.
I thoroughly enjoy the first stanza, which goes,
“It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it
You spread His love to everyone
You want to pass it on”
I sing this song not just because it sounds beautiful, but because it reminds me to spread God’s love to others. Like a tiny spark before a great fire, it takes only one person to spread His word to others. Whether it’s through prayer; singing; writing; or just being genuine to others, I believe one of my purposes in life is to talk to others about God’s love. As the song goes, “I want to pass it on”.
I Swear- All 4 One
On of my fondest memories of my childhood is driving around in our old black van, the Aerostar. We did quite a bit of moving around because of military life. I remember my dad driving on the highway. My mom riding shotgun acting as the GPS, before such a thing probably existed. Me riding in my car seat about 4 or 5 years old, sucking on two fingers, playing with my brother Chris’s ears.( Sorry big bro. Looking back I don’t why understand either.) My brother Mike and baby sister Christina riding in the middle seat, my sister throwing a fit the entire car ride.
Then there was the cassette we sometimes listened to, the cassette that contained a song which I would enjoy for the rest of my life- “I Swear” by the r&b group All-4-One. I was too young to remember all the lyrics, but when the chorus came I remember taking my wet fingers out of my mouth to sing along at the top of my lungs, “I SWEAR BY THE MOON AND THE STARS IN THE SKY, I’LL BE THERE!!!”.
This song makes me think about being young and carefree. Free from thoughts such as making enough money, finding my dream job, and trying so hard to be a good Christian. I miss those days.
Side By Side
“Meet in heaven
We’ll join hands together
Meet me by the Savior’s side
I’ll meet you in Heaven
We’ll sing songs together
Brothers and sister’s I’ll be there”
Listening to that song just now made my left eye rain a little. So many memories. Back in the day, when I was a kid, back at that old little church on Second Street in downtown Clarksville, our A.Y.(Adventist Youth) program was always poppin’. Many of us would come out back to the church before sunset just to close out the Sabbath. We would do activities that would that teach us lessons, test our biblical knowledge, and improve our character. It wasn’t just for the youth, it was for everyone. We also sang a variety of hymns, one of them was called Side by Side. This was a special song because not only did most of us know it by heart, but we all would join hands and form a huge circle as we sang. It was the chance to look to your side and across the room to your brothers and sisters; to see them smiling and singing. We would raise hands when we sang the line “We’ll join hands together”.
Last year, at my church camping trip, as we finished singing the song Pass It On around the golden, warm campfire, I slowly went into Side By Side, and much to my surprise, my church members sang along with me. As we sang, I imagineed I was back in our old little church. I reimagined the feeling of togetherness and unity with my second family. A time when all of us worshipped and fellowshipped under one roof. A time before we all broke away to from each to form separate congregations. My hope is that we all can meet each other in Heaven one day and sing songs together, by the Savior’s side.
What music is in your heart? What songs stay with you?
Let me know! Have a good day and God bless!
Sources:
DavidSpeaks 
2 replies on “Music in My Heart”
Beautiful post David. And you have a nice voice, Pass It On is my favorite of the list from those lyrics and your demonstration✨
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Thank you! I appreciate you reading this.
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