Music matters in so many fantastic and memorable ways. Think of a favourite concert, a song you hear that draws you back to a moment and all of a sudden you are in tears, laughing or quietly reminiscing. I still have friends from high school text songs from some of our most hilarious moments together and I still can’t stop laughing, I remember because of the song, melody and yes the lyrics too. I have posted about the impact of music before, but this post draws from my early days of teaching and with my own kids when they were young.

Recently, I was sent a video of my dear and precious niece that flooded me with memories and the significant role music has in the young. I have been having technical challenges uploading the adorable singing, so for now a picture of her will give you an idea!

Sonder singing Jesus Loves Me

Memorization comes easy when you are young and it somehow remains in our minds to recall through our lives. I don’t know when I learned the song, Jesus Loves Me, but it is in my mind likely because of my parents singing it to me and at church. It remains a steadfast memory of truth that Jesus does love me!! When I first saw the video of my niece singing Jesus Loves Me I was full of tears, good ones! It also allowed me to reflect on all the musical choices I have made over the years. I am not a musician, I just love music, piano, ukelele and guitar. I play them (somewhat feebly!) but I actually love to just ‘play to play’ and worship on my own – not for an audience, for an audience of one (check out this song by Big Daddy Weave Audience of One). 

My early teaching was full of music in the classroom. I began every day with a compilation of music on an old upright piano then onto the guitar. I created a laminated bristol board sized paper with those old stinky yet colourful permanent markers so the class could follow along. I think I still have that rolled up and tucked away! It was such a wonderful start to a day (regardless of age really!). I had stations for listening to stories on tape recorders (yes I am that old!) and music along with instruments always available to add to the creative chaos a kindergarten class can bring. It was amazing to watch all the students engage in the musical aspect of our days. However you can bring music into the lives of students is always a wonderful gift. As they grow, they will begin to enjoy various styles of music and instruments. The end goal is not to create a concert pianist, opera singer or award-winning country music sensation. That has happened to many people through the ages, but all I wanted to do was add a musical element to encourage learning, increase awareness of musicality, have fun and introduce the class to the love of Jesus. If anyone walked in and heard me I likely turned a shade of red but continued for the sake of the kids. Parents would volunteer and I would have to just keep the routine going no matter how I felt because it was not about me! I had to get over myself and my lack of talent, I just had a heart overflowing with ways to make the classroom truly sing! I continued that into my own home and maybe they will one day do the same?!

I am overwhelmed with how my brother and SIL are raising their beautiful daughter. They are intentional in every single way. It is inspiring to see their creative, God-fearing, fun, purposeful and endearing ways lived out daily. The video they sent of her singing Jesus Loves Me is a snippet into the endless ways they are pouring their hearts into her. I spoke to my SIL and reminded her of the incredible things she is doing, planting seeds of joyful worship and beginning to cultivate a love of God through song. I believe that these moments are a part of changing lives! She responded, 

“We are doing all we can to instill exactly these things that are so important”

 

How do you cultivate music in your life?