Sing For Joy

Sing for Joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD had comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones.

Isaiah 49:13

Music and song are wonderful gifts from God. It is truly enjoyed especially when one is feeling happy and full of joy but there are times when it is also comfort in time of sadness and need. It is not hard to want to break out in song when you are feeling happy. I admit, as much as I love all forms of music, I am a bit of a “shower” singer. I am comfortable joining the many voices at Holy Trinity during service. I have even taken part in the youth choir at Calvary Lutheran Church in Cranford and St. Paul’s in Linden. I joined the chorus throughout my years in school. But don’t ask me to sing solo in public. That is saved for home when I play my favorite cd’s and there is no else around.

I wish I had the spirit to sing like Grace. Six-year-old Grace is my friend Caroline’s granddaughter who loves to sing at anytime and anywhere. Grace is hearing impaired and has been so since birth. She has been determined to what they call moderate to severely hearing impaired and has worn hearing aids since the age of three months. Grace has had special teachers who have taught her since infancy. She has progressed so well that she has been mainstreamed into a Catholic school in north Jersey. At six years old she is reading at a fourth grade level. She wears a special backpack that is hooked up to her hearing aids. Her teacher speaks into a special unit that filters the sound so Grace is not confused or distracted by other outside noises. I have delighted in Caroline’s stories of Grace bursting into song at anytime (sometimes to the chagrin and embarrassment of her older brothers). Sometimes she sings in an operatic voice. One of her favorite songs a few years back was ‘You Are My Sunshine”. Her new favorites are from the soundtrack of “Walk the Line”. Little Grace, who has had to work at things a bit harder than most of us, truly knows how to sing for joy. I can’t help but think there is a smile on His face when those sweet and lovely notes reach Him in heaven.

No matter how we sing to celebrate the many gifts and blessings we have received, God does hear us. Whether it is a loud and brave singing like Grace’s, singing at church or our own personal songs at home either out loud or to ourselves, the Father knows we are celebrating His graciousness and love.

Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank you for the many gifts that we receive from you every day. We thank you for the gift of music and song that so often brings so many of us joy and comfort. We especially thank you for the gifts that bring comfort to those who are suffering or have special needs. May we all lift our voices in songs of thanks and praise for all that you do. Amen.

Nancy M. Smarr

beachnmf@aol.com