I love to sing. I love to hum. I do it a lot. As I clean, as I drive... I'm sure that is not unusual. Music has a lot of power! It has so much power, I've decided to be careful what music I listen to as it influences me so much. Several years ago I decided to keep the radio in my car set on
KLOVE. Why? Well, they refer to their music as being "positive and encouraging". Hey! That's what I want to be! I learned that if I listened to that on my way to work, I was able to maintain a positive and encouraging attitude a bit more throughout the day.
I am also on our Worship Team at church. I enjoy that a lot!
(stock photo from 123rf.com)
OK, that photo may not be of me but I'm pretty sure I look kind of like that when I sing...except I am older...and I would not wear sunglasses in church...and my microphone is on a stand which I am scared to approach... I don't usually wear a hat because I think my head is already kind of large... and the wind machine is not ever on me when I sing... there may be a few other differences as well. OK, I'm no more than an average singer, I'm middle-aged and I generally sing standing very still with my hands to my side. Even clapping when singing is difficult for me. Other than that, I pretty much look like this person.
Seriously now...
Music has come naturally to me when helping a really frightened patient. Whether starting an IV or wiping a bottom, humming lightens the moment. Maybe it just lightens my mood but I think it helps the patient focus on something besides the task at hand as well.
I was once called to the side of a young adult patient nearing the end of her life. She was conscious and uneasy. She'd previously told me she was a Christian so with her permission I prayed for her. Then, knowing she had been active in her congregation, I asked if she wanted me to sing to her to help her relax. She said that she did. I started singing Amazing Grace then moved on to the The Old Rugged Cross. She listened politely but I didn't feel it was calming her that much. Then, I decided to sing Jesus Loves Me. Even though she could only barely make sounds, she started to sing along! I kept singing but tears were rolling down my face. She looked and sounded so beautiful to me.
I thought she fell asleep at the end of that song so I sat quietly by her side for a bit. When I was about to leave she opened her eyes and whispered a question. I had to ask her to repeat it several times but finally realized she was asking if I knew the song,
Lord, I Lift Your Name on High. I was so happy because it is a song our worship team sings so I knew all the words. We sang that song over and over and over with her voice only a whisper and mine choked with tears. The quality of our voices did not matter. Finally, she was tired and able to rest. I left quietly, fully aware that I'd just been allowed to be part of something truly beautiful.
Maybe I will have the opportunity to sing with her someday in heaven when we will have strong, pure voices.
To hear a sample of the song that meant so much to her,
click here.
