Sing unto the Lord

Jersey #2 loves to sing. She has always been rhythmic. She danced to music and played with toy instruments well before she attempted to talk. When she was very young, she was mesmerized by the music at church, but would go play in the nursery for the prayer request and sermon time. She would often sing the hymns or praise & worship songs that were sung that day, in the car on the way home. When a drummer first joined the music team, Jersey #2 brought out a couple toys from the nursery, placed them in the aisle next to the pew we were sitting in, and proceeded to pound on them like drums, to the beat. Bible verses in songs were the first Bible verses she learned. In kindergarten, she memorized the Bible verses for AWANA that were set to music much faster than the ones where she had to read and repeat until she learned them. To this day, she can recite all of those verses just from hearing the first note in the song they were set to.

I am not rhythmic, so she did not get those genes from me. I tend to tune the music out and listen to the words. I really dislike music where the lead singer mumbles or screams, because I can't make out the words to the song. Even though I do not share Jersey #2's love of music, I was rather frustrated when our church went through tensions over the music selections and instruments a couple years ago. In the midst of all the discussions about what was proper and biblical, no one seemed to care that some folks first learn about Jesus through the music. Jersey #2 is one of those folks. I don't personally attend church for the music, but I certainly appreciate the way it has the ability to reach my daughter at such a young age.

Thankfully, music has returned to the Sunday morning worship service at our church. Jersey #2 has gained a stronger passion (and volume) for singing in church. She looks forward to the Sunday morning services. She has grown from an interest only in the music, to starting to take notes during the sermon, and following along in her Bible.

Unfortunately, music is no longer part of the evening services, so she lost interest in those. I am hoping that interest to participate will come with time and maturity.

Jersey #2 paired up with a friend who also sings loudly, and they raised the volume of the singing in church. Their voices are sweet. Their volume grabs your attention. They were very excited over the songs that they recognize from home and the radio, because it didn't require as much reading of the words. Usually, I look over at them and smile and think about how cute they are.

Jersey #2's voice brought tears to my eyes in church yesterday. She sang so loud and with such joy. She has learned to follow along with the words projected on the screen, so she is now able to sing along even if she doesn't know the song very well. But, yesterday, she knew one of the praise songs very well. It is one that plays on the Christian radio station I listen to in the car. It is beautiful and catchy. The part that struck me was when she was singing the words....

I will lift my eyes to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside

Just thinking about her upcoming heart surgery, and our God as the Great Healer....and she was singing praises to God to the top of her lungs. I blinked and blinked to fight the tears, and choked instead of singing. I was overwhelmed by the emotion of it all.

In the van on the ride home, Jersey #2 informed me that she sang so loud because she just had to get it all out of her heart, and she couldn't hold it in anymore! (I cried again). What a precious child.

The song is called "I will lift my eyes" by Bebo Norman. Here are the words....

I WILL LIFT MY EYES
By Bebo Norman

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near calm my fear and take my doubt
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let mercy sing
her melody over me
and God, right here all I bring
is all of me
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in


I will lift my eyes to the Maker
of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You


'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
the Lover I need to save me
'Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
so hold me now

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now