As I grow older, I’m noticing that my hearing is not as great as it used to be. I’m not quite at hearing aid stage, but a recent hearing test revealed that I have the most difficulty with hearing the higher tones–which explains why I can hear my husband’s voice perfectly well, but have trouble hearing the voices of women and children. I have only a taste of what it’s like to not be able to hear. My blogging friend, Sheila, knows what it is to be profoundly deaf and yet praise God in music. You might appreciate her little devotional (below).
Devotions by Sheila
BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD. PHILIPPIANS 4:6 ASV
It doesn’t matter if you can read music or carry a tune. Sing it anyway. Let your heart sing old songs and new. Make a joyful noise.
29 – Fill my cup
Hymns and golden oldies music occupy a large room in my memory bank. The hymn I took the title from today is dear to my heart. Before I lost my hearing I sang it in the church choir. A hearing-impaired second soprano who didn’t want to quit singing.
After profound deafness came to stay, I learned to sign some favorite songs with my hands. Fill my cup, Lord. I lift it up, Lord. Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Scripture: My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. Psalm 71:23 ESV
Prayer: Father God, since you have redeemed my soul through your son Jesus Christ, I must sing. I cannot stop my heart and mind from praising you with music. Thank you for all music written by inspiration to speak to us about love and life. Amen.
Music speaks to my heart.
If you pull up next to me at a traffic light, you might find me singing a praise and worship song at the top of my lungs. I wear earbuds when I’m at work and try to listen to Christ-honoring music. At home, I listen to music while I’m cooking, cleaning, or gardening. Every now and again, I break out in singing or humming whatever I’m listening to at the moment. Wayne can’t always figure out what I’m singing because carrying a tune isn’t one of my strengths, and I’m notorious for not remembering all of the lyrics. I’m not the best singer in the world, but I sing anyway.
“It doesn’t matter if you can read music or carry a tune. Sing it anyway. Let your heart sing old songs and new. Make a joyful noise.”
Devotions by Sheila
Whenever the road in life seems hard or takes a turn I didn’t expect, music has a way of reminding me that I am not alone and that I have a Helper. Music comforts me when I’m sad and lifts my heart to praise the One who is my comfort. When my heart is overflowing with the beauty of nature, music lifts my heart in gratitude to the Creator of it all.
When I cannot sleep at night, sometimes just listening to a playlist of the sounds of nature will lull me to a place of quiet rest. I absolutely love the sound that water makes–whether a gentle rain or a rolling thunderstorm, the trickle of a stream or the lapping of an ocean wave. There is music in all of God’s creation.
December is a time when music reminds me of the gift I have in Jesus. I’ve been creating a Spotify playlist of some of my Christmas favorites–you can find it here. I pray that you will find time in this busy season to sing along with music which will point you toward the One who is the true and best gift of Christmas.
And don’t worry if you can’t sing. Sing it anyway!
Barefoot Lily Lady 