I love music, it’s my “thing.”  Any mood I’m in has an appropriate playlist. My favorite way to worship is music, best talks with God… yep, they include music.  I wake up with a song in my heart.  And, actually, they pop up into my head throughout the day. Someone tells me a story, and I’ll catch those couple words they say that are also in a familiar tune, and guess where my brain goes? Can you say, “earworm?” Then there are commercials… oh my word, my poor husband! You know the ones that come on using some well known oldies, or that epic tune you loved from your wilder, youthful days. And, now you’re walking around the house singing the words you still remember, and filling in with “something, something, something” for the rest of them.  You no sooner stop singing the tune, and the commercial plays again! The vicious cycle!

I don’t really know what my favorite genre of music is actually classified as, I’m sure there’s a proper term for it; Inspirational, Christian Alternative… Jesus Jams. Funny, but I don’t even remember how, or when I became plugged in to this format, the music just kind of found me on the radio. And, let me tell you, me and KLOVE are per-rit-tee tight (as far as listeners go). That crazy lady you meet on the road, driving her car with one hand waving in the air like she just don’t care… mm-hmm, that’s me.  Certain songs are my go to in times of “life.” Struggles my maternal grandmother went through as her body prepared for her journey home, Mercy Me, “I can only imagine.”  My youngest in boot camp, sending letters home that he worried he wouldn’t cut the grade for the big endurance test coming up, Mandisa, “Overcomer.” Questioning my calling, and inadequacy in doing God’s will, Casting Crowns, “Nobody.” The list could go on if I think long, and hard enough. The day when I found these musicians were actually performing in local churches, well, watch out, “Lord, I’m coming.” I’m not talking about the big concerts downtown in an arena, with seats costing more than I care to spend. I’m talking about the $15 ticket to sit on the balcony of a church, packed in like sardines. Everyone singing along to the words on the big screen so loud you can’t even hear your own voice. The hair literally stands on your arms with the electricity in the air… you still feel the buzz the next day, as if the Spirit left you glowing like a pumpkin lit up on Halloween. Man, good times! 

My first concert was a mix of artists; Big Daddy Weave, Lauren Daigle, Citizens Way, Jason Gray. I enjoyed every minute!  You know, I am always amazed to learn of the Wisconsin talent that blesses the airwaves. Citizen Way, The Afters, and of course shout out to our Milwaukee boy, Danny Gokey. When Danny Gokey’s music began hitting the airwaves in this genre, I was blown away. Every new song was my new favorite, and to see him perform in concert is seeing he is where he belongs. He is the artist that led me behind the scenes a little, to more than their song, to actually look at the person. A dear friend of mine knows him from “the old days.” I’m talking pre-American Idol, or the Wisconsin Vision commercials that played here in the Midwest. Remember the one with the dog wearing matching specs? Funny stuff. If asked, she will tell you of someone who will always be her friend. Someone who directed music at her church as a youth, who had been married to her best friend’s sister, is deeply rooted in faith, and about the heartbreaking loss when his young wife died. Hearing her talk, you see more than faith filled music, or an artist named Danny Gokey, you see a guy named Daniel. From this insight, I found myself not just listening to the words of a song to identify, but also starting to look at the performers and their story. The real people behind the microphone, who were blessed with the talent to not only gain a worldy audience, but truly feel the calling to use their gift as a ministry.

We all have abilities, gifts, special qualities that identify us. Sometimes they are unique only to ourselves, or we learn they have been gifts shared with generations before us.  A few years ago I heard a story about my paternal grandmother. She passed away several months before I was born, but I knew her through my father’s stories, and special memories. I always wished I had been able to know her in person, talk to her myself. As the story went, my grandmother loved music… it was her thing. She could be heard singing a favorite hymn aloud while doing chores, praising God in song while hanging laundry to dry. This simple story was such a beautiful gift to me, it actually made me cry when I recounted it later. I felt as if she had looked down at my joy in song, and wanted me to know, “I get it,” keep it going.

My current ear-worm is the song Holy Water, by We The Kingdom. I couldn’t sleep last evening, and woke up to the words playing in my head. I have found videos of the artists performing live in concert, playing in a church, as well as singing acoustically… whoa, do these guys “feel” the music when they perform.. just a warning. To a simple girl from the northwoods, where faith was taught a bit conservatively, their live concert video caught me off guard. Let me tell you, the drummer is in – to – it. Who says you can’t rock with Jesus? God bless them that they feel free to not just perform, but really worship as they do it. I wish I could feel that free in open worship.  Trust me, outside my car, the hands don’t wave in the air as much as maybe a little lift at the waist.

“Your forgiveness, Is like sweet, sweet honey On my lips. Like the sound of a symphony To my ears. Like holy water on my skin.

I don’t wanna abuse Your grace. God, I need it every day. It’s the only thing that ever really Makes me wanna change.”

Thank you, Lord, for giving me such a beautiful expression to identify “life.” When words can’t come on their own, you always give a song to speak for me. As Matt Maher sings, “And all the people said Amen.”

– Blessings