Notes becoming Chords becoming Songs

Music touches our souls in strange ways. People have different tastes in music. Some like jazz, some like hard rock, while some others like country music. But I have yet to find someone who does not like music of any kind. What does music mean to you?

I remember music growing up. My mom would always sing me to sleep. My father would sing to wake me up. I used to get so mad at him every time he would come in my room singing "if your child needs a daddy I can help. I got two strong arms, I can help." I hated that song. I never believed it was real until I heard it on the radio several years ago.

Growing up in church, I learned many different hymns and songs on Sunday's and Wednesdays. I enjoyed singing in the children's choir. I was in the youth choir (and I quit after that.)

Music doesn't always have to have words though. I started taking piano lessons in third grade. I made music every week on that piano. I have played handbells in church for 14 years. I love to make music with bells and can even play solo.

The radio plays various types of music. Once we listened to tapes, then CD's and now I have over 2000 songs on my iPod. There's rock, pop, dance, Arabic, Islamic, Christian, and many other various types of music on there. I have various tastes when it comes to music.

Today, I was driving back from the airport with a friend and we had been listening to some popular dance music and we were both just moving with the beat. My friend was our DJ since I was driving, so it was totally up to her what we would listen to. After listening to a few of our favorites, she changed to Christian music. After a song or two of the Christian "fluff" as some people call it, our moods changed. We were more solemn. The lyrics gave us something to think about; we had things to contemplate. So as we rode along listening to these songs with deep meaning and beautiful melodies, my heart was changed.

I chose several songs I wanted her to hear including Entertaining Angels and Breakfast by the Newsboys, and Lifesong by Casting Crowns. I also played Big House by Audio Adrenaline. When this song was playing and my friend was listening to the words, she got a smile on her face. She realized what the song was about and how there is a place for everyone with God.

As I have thought about this more tonight, I am taken back to my time as a youth. I had a different taste in music. Most people around me were listening to country...I was listening to rap. The people at church were trying to get me to listen to Christian music...I refused. I was different in my tastes but no less a Christian than anyone else around me. However, I'm afraid that the church folks thought I was less of a Christian and tried to bring me "back" week after week.

Thinking of this situation I was in, I am reminded that there is a place for everyone with God. No matter what our tastes in music are (or anything else for that matter) God accepts us all.

So how does music speak to you? What genre of music do you like? Do you allow the lyrics to speak? Does music make you cry, smile, laugh, weary, happy, etc?

Take time to listen to the music. Music is the heartbeat of life.

"Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body." -Oliver Wendell Holmes