View from the Waiting Room, part II

Music has always been a huge part of my life - a constant accompaniment. That appreciation seems to be intensifying in the waiting room.
I think I know where I got this compulsive need to have music in almost every part of my life. My mother loved music. She never became an accomplished musician but she could sing the words of every song in the 'hit parades' of the 40s and 50s. It hit me when we brought our first-born, Kevin, only a few months old, home from California where we were studying in 1971. It was the first time my folks had ever seen their first grandchild. We weren't in the door of our little family home in Victoria more than 5 minutes when Mom grabbed Kevin out of Shirley's arms and began to dance around the living room with him her arms to the music of whatever song was on the radio. Those were joyous, rhythmic, bonding, loving moments. And I knew that was it! That was the genesis of this love of mine for music. And, yes, her grandchildren have that same love deeply embedded in their DNA too. But I have digressed...
Our faith is a singing faith. That doesn't mean that participation is limited to those who can carry a tune with their voices. Non-singers are also more than welcome. A"singing faith" is one that is a tightly-woven tapestry of words and music, head and heart, truth and tunes. It just oozes from Paul's words: "...speaking to one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." (Eph. 5:19). It's in the DNA. He couldn't keep a lid on it. It bubbles out to "one another" and if there isn't someone else around then it's just in our hearts. [I've written an article on these 3 types of songs which sits in my files. I guess I should see if it flies somewhere.]
I've had a lot of bubbling in my heart these days in the waiting room. Of course the words of Scripture in music are the most uplifting and faith-building. Not surprisingly, the words "Give thanks, with a grateful heart..." were in my heart all day last Monday, Thanksgiving. Music comes from the mind ("understanding") and the heart ("Spirit/spirit"). Music gives expression to the emotional or "feeling" side of our worship. But it must never be separated from the truth that our song comes from God and is given back to Him in praise. I must resist the impulse to preach here. But music ministers with power, often with power that surpasses the bare spoken word.
I need to confess here that it's not just Christian music that fills my days in the waiting room. I enjoy many different kinds of music. I hope it won't lower my spiritual stature in your eyes to tell you that I really enjoy jazz and classical music. I feel enriched when I hear Beethoven's 9th Symphony or Oscar Peterson playing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."
It's sounding like my life these days is all idleness and quiet meditation. Far from it. I'll share more in the coming days. Must run. I feel a song coming on. Wanna dance? Blessings. KEN