The Power of Music

An article I wrote for my church newsletter:

The Power of Music

Music has always been a constant in my life. Growing up in a homeschooled family, it wasn’t an option, it was “class”. I never thought much about it those early days of practicing. I just got up, ate breakfast, and sat down at the piano. A few years after starting piano, I begged my parents to let me add more joyous melodies to the house; soon the sound of a nine year old perfecting the screeches of a violin began. It was just an every day part of life.

At the time I had little idea where practicing all those scales would take me. Beginning with Twinkle, Twinkle on a little stage and playing in music festivals, to being concertmaster at Conservatory orchestras and playing the famous Beethoven’s 5^th in the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Looking back, it’s pretty incredible!

However, more amazing than music “accomplishments” are Christ’s accomplishments, through our music. Through music, the news of Jesus Christ is brought many places, places that normally would not accept it. Some of my most intense moments of prayer have been while playing with a choir and orchestra in Europe; crying out to the Lord that people would see Jesus as we sang about Him at an outdoor park in Lucerne, Switzerland, for Muslim children at an outdoor basketball court in Hamburg, Germany and in the Swedish state church.

In the Psalms we are told to “Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre.” (33:2) and to “Praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute.” (150:4).

Sometimes I think we forget that music is not just another item to add to the “to do” list. It isn’t a chore. It is worship. What is more, it is an intimate, direct link to the heart of Christ. Through music, more than any other venue, can we can express and release emotion to the One who created our souls. While learning, playing, singing and listening to music, we can express what is in our hearts. Anger. Joy. Sadness. Happiness. Disappointment. Excitement.  Love.

Music releases emotion.  Therefore, it creates an emotional connection with Christ that we are not always aware of. Seeing this transformation happen in someone as they participate in worship through music is amazing.  People come into church with their arms crossed and mind focused on life issues, but leave praising the Lord. I come to rehearsals drained and tired from a long day, and leave renewed and energized. People who are closed to the message of the gospel will listen to music proclaiming the truth of Jesus.

Music has changed me. Through the power of music I have come to love Jesus, more and more and more. This has a ripple effect. The more I express praise and worship to Him, the more others are provided with an opportunity to do the same and love Him more. Music changes people.

So, as I continue to lift my violin at choir and orchestra practice, as I sing in church, and as I play piano for a gig, I remember that my sole goal is not to improve my skills, or have fun (although I do!). I do it to create and express emotion, to enter into worship of my God and Creator, and to ultimately spread the love of Christ.

An excuse...

I've been busy okay, that's my excuse for not posting. Not the most creative excuse, but a true one none the less! Let's just say that I had my first evening home in over a month last Wednesday (only because I canceled something!) and my next "free" weekend is in June.

And, I'm still busy, so this isn't even a post. I'm just telling you what's going on...however, there is one in the works...so it'll come...just be patient with me, okay?!

:)

I spy...

This is just too cute. Cadence is definitely the funniest of the four.

As to the Lord, Not for Men

I love to help people...a lot of what I do, in work and volunteer work is helping people. And I love it, really. I love being helpful and making their lives easier.

On a wedding day, I like to relieve the bride of all the little but necessary responsibilities, so that she doesn't need to stress about them. At work, I love to see a task and take care of it, so others don't need to it. I love to make their job easier.

But there's a catch. I quite like to be noticed and admired for all these things I do. It's not huge, just an expression of thankfulness for what I've done. It doesn't seem like it's that much to ask, right? I'm helpful...Recently though, I think my desire to help has been overtaken by wanting to be noticed as being helpful.

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men." 

Ephesians 6:7

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." 

Colossians 3:23

 What I do is *not* about being noticed.  It's not a matter of having the great, happy feeling of someone being happy with me when I'm done. It not about warm fuzzies. It's not about praise I receive. It's about working wholeheartedly for the Lord. That's all. That is literally all that matters. 

Anyone else have a hard time with this?

I do think that God puts situations in our lives that will challenge these issues we have. Refining work. That's where I'm at. Recognizing where God wants to take me, but resisting and not enjoying the process of getting there.

Lethbridge Visit

This last weekend I finally went down to see my niece. I hadn't seen my nieces since Christmas! It was crazy, so mom and I headed down there on Friday night and stayed for the day on Saturday.

We saw the girls briefly that night, in time for "reading time". They were jumping all over the room and loving that we were there to read to them.

I sleep on the couch when I'm there, so it's always an adventure to wake up to the sounds of children. And then to pretend you're asleep until they come to wake you. That's probably the happiest you'll ever find me in the morning!

Lisa had a doctors appointment that morning and Cameron was out for a run, but I had brought them some new princess stamps, so I made sure to keep them busy and happy.

So big and grown up! Little Cadence and Meggie.

 Alanna and I. She read me a full story while I was there. I can't believe she's reading already! 

I didn't recognize this one at first either. A lot changes for a baby in 2.5 months! I love her red-ish hair and I think she looks like her oldest sister!

 Megan is the definition of sweetness.

We decided to all go swimming for the afternoon. Mom held Monica, while Lisa, Cam and I manhandled the three other girls. Alanna loved hanging out in the shallow end, Meggie loved the waterslides, and Cady wanted to do things on her own (as usual)!

Back at home we were all pretty tired (me esp!). But not too tired to continue the the crafts.

Lisa with her baby girl.

The girls love their Nanny!

The slobbery little one...always wet...

This was the note and picture Alanna made for her Uncle Reid. It says "Sorry I can't see you". (She puts a __ in the places where she isn't sure of the letters.

 And my note. Which says, "Auntie Leanne, I love you. You are special to me. Love Alanna". Or something of that sort...and we're hugging in the picture.

It was so wonderful to see them all again! I love my family.

The Lifter of my Head

"But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head." Psalm 3:3

What a comforting verse. He is the lifter of my head. I'd heard this phrase before and never really took it to heart or understood it. 

The feelings of worthlessness and shame aren't lost to me. They are very real. The feeling that I want to curl into a ball and disappear. The feeling of  just standing there with my head bent in shame from the stupid things I've done and said. But He, God, the Creator of the Universe, *my* Father takes His finger, puts it under my chin and begins to pull up, until He is eye level with me. He looks me in the eye and tells me He is my Protector and I'm *worth* protecting. 

In all my wanderings away from His throne, in all the turns I've made away from His path I've made, in all the days and hours I haven't talked to Him, He still takes my head in His hands and tells me I'm His daughter.

I'm a daughter of the King who protects me unto death, and that's worth lifting my head about. 

It's OVER

Well, it's over. My two weeks of laziness is over. I'm so happy that now I can get back to normal life (sort of). I'm still somewhat concussed, but can start to get back to it.

I tried to hit work for a few hours on Monday (even though it was a holiday). I did last for a few hours, but continued to feel a bit dizzy after awhile. I tried to ignore it, but it was there. 

On Tuesday I didn't need to go to the office, but had a bunch of moving to do. I moved for a good 5 hours, and felt fine. Wednesday, I decided to give my eyes a rest and wear sunglasses at work. I know, so cool. I felt great. But, a few "co-workers" weren't convinced that I should be working yet. Needless to say, I was not impressed and definitely spoke my piece about it. (Side note: Don't you hate when you do that? Embarrass yourself by opening your mouth a little too fast and a little too much...sigh.)

So, Thursday was another day off. I had a super long lunch with a friend (bonus) and did manage to work on some stuff at home for most of the evening.

As promised, I went to the doctor this morning and I'm back. I'm still having symptoms but am cleared to work as much as I feel comfortable and with instructions not to push it. However, she wanted to send me in for a head CT, just to be sure. Therefore, blood work to be done and waited for...hopefully I don't have to wait too long for it and everything is okay.

I'd been thinking about getting some prescription sunglasses, as I recognized that light was want I was having issues with. I went into the eye doctor to pick out some frames. But, it couldn't be that easy. My prescription was more than one year old, so I got into see the doctor. Of course I mentioned the concussion, which was cause for the full "work-up". An hour and a half later, $400 poorer, and with my eyes still blinking like the night sky from the lights and drops, I left the doctor. Definitely exhausting!

I was planning on hitting the office afterwards, but as I couldn't focus my eyes on anything, I hit home for some rest.

So now I sit here, knowing that I'm back into the swing of things.  Back to busy, back to on the run, back to stress. Hmmm, now I guess I have to be ready!

I milking a few more days of rest, but look out Monday. Because you may have a grumpy girl on your hands. ;o)