Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Softly she sings

"...Softly she sings, the music starts filling the room with an aroma of peace and quietness, baby is almost to sleep as his mothers gentle arms sway and the sound of her voice fills his ears..."

Music holds almost a spell over the human mind. It's influence can anger, calm and make you go from happy to sad in a moment. The purpose of rock is to make your blood pump, to make you angry. David played the harp for King Saul when his soul was troubled, and when it's time to clean my house the upbeat music goes on.

The music you play at home will always influence atmosphere of your home.

In Philippians 4:8 it says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
We are to dwell on pure and lovely things. I like to listen to a little country music every now then, I like a little 70's and 80's music too. But I can't listen to them all the time because I start to dwell on them. Unintentionally I start singing along to the beat, next thing I know I am sing about cheating on a spouse, drinking solves all my problems or mourning the death of a dog I never knew. It's fun and it's not a sin to enjoy good music. But can we allow ourselves to dwell on those things? I try to listen to music I know is O.K. most of the time, then every now and then I will listen to some not so O.K. stuff.

This past summer I got to travel with an awesome family. One of the things they try to enforce in their home is good music. You know what their kids sing as they go about their business? No not Barney, not silly wee sing songs, but hymns, like Come Thou Fount is the 5 year olds favorite song, Nothing But The Blood is the 2 year olds favorite. Isn't that amazing? These kids are unconsciously dwelling on things that are pure and lovely.

Part of creating the essence of Christ in our homes is playing glorifying music. Now I am not saying all you can play is monks and classical.
Music doesn't have to be dirty to be fun and enjoyable.
Here are three ways to make the atmosphere of your home more enjoyable:

Moms, put on soft music (hymns, light classical, etc...) right before waking the kids up. You will be amazed at the difference in attitudes all day long. They have 30 seconds to decide which 'side of the bed' they are going to get up on. Influence that decision with the woo of easy music. Continue to let it play during breakfast. Whether they realize it or not they are memorizing those tunes and words. Make them words worth memorizing.

During chore time play something fun and upbeat. Love this. Mother has done it with us since we were 'knee high to a grasshopper'. It works , truly it does. The Coconut song is my favorite 'chore' song.

Play easy music when dad comes home and during supper. Why do expensive restaurants play light classical music while you eat your meal. To create an experience, to make you relax and enjoy your meal. At our house we always waited for Dad to get home from work. He would almost always be home at 4:00. We kids would run out side and ride on the back of his truck as he pulled up the drive, 100 feet or so. Then Mom would greet him at the door with a kiss and that's when we knew, school and work were over, it was time to relax and enjoy being together, to gather at the table. The soft music playing in the background may seem like a minor detail. But it sets the mood and that is important.


2 comments:

Stephen said...
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Kim M. said...

I try to do this especially on Sunday mornings to get us in the mood for worship. So often, Satan tempts us to be moody and stressed (and running late). Music does help! Thanks for the tips.