Anthem

Singing is a response to happiness that flows out of your heart. Joy fills the top of my lungs and escapes in the form of a melody.

I once burst into song at a friends-giving dinner. "But who cares, no big deal, i want more!!!!" (For all those who aren't Disney passionate, it's a line from The Little Mermaid's song "Part of Your World")

Why?

Because I was surrounded by friends and the sweet tea had just the right amount of lemon in it. The people surrounding me knew me and sang along. Yes, some stared and laughed. My heart was whole. There was nothing missing, nothing broken.

You see, that was the only kind of singing I knew.

It wasn't until I heard about the boat crash. The news left my heart like Swiss cheese. There was so much missing and so much broken. I ran up to the hospital bed and prayed a most desperate prayer. In that darkness and florescent lighting, sorrow filled my lungs and escaped in the form of a whimper. There was no song. At least not at this point, but God had been guiding me to this Word.

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7

God has taken me to this Bible verse many times in my life. My mom would sing it passionately as she washed dishes when I was just a child. This verse was an anthem of strength to my mother. It was during this time that I realized where exactly my mom's passion to sing this verse came from.

In times of trouble, sorrow, confusion, or fear the last thing that comes to you is a song. The first thing that happens is that your voice disappears. You become voiceless.

What this verse is saying is that, during times of trouble, God will be your hiding place. He will take you to a place of security where we can rest assured in His protection. The safety you feel will be so great that your heart will be filled with songs. Not just any songs, but songs of deliverance. Songs that lift you up and free you from the grip of fear.

So I held her hand, and His protection filled my lungs and escaped in the form of a song of deliverance.

*This blog has been updated with a new photo.