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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Singing (10/31/05)
One year, my step-father took all of five of us kids to a Christmas Party sponsored by the American Legion. At some point in the program, the host called all the children at the party up to the stage to sing “Frosty the Snowman.” Once up there, everyone developed stage fright and the only person who actually sang was me. I remember standing there while a photographer took my picture for the next day’s paper and thinking how neat that was. Other than that instance, I would say I have sung in public maybe a total of two or three times. You see, I have this problem—I cannot sing. At least, I can’t sing well. My range is very limited and rather low, so the soprano notes tend to come out of my mouth in a squeak or a broken line. Fairly awful, actually. While singing in public isn’t something I choose to do any longer, when I am in my car I sing along with almost every song on the radio, and I sing loudly. The reason I do this is because God told me I should.

One morning on my way to work I began to despair about my inability to worship God with a beautiful voice. I so love Him that I want to be able to worship Him in every way that is available. So, I would sing and lament that it didn’t sound pretty enough for Him. As I drove along praying such thoughts to God—my loving, encouraging Daddy—He spoke to me very quietly. What I felt Him say to me was this… “When you sing from your heart, you are worshiping me. I don’t care how you think you sound; to Me, you sound beautiful, because I’m listening to your heart. Please keep singing to Me.”

I still listen with awe and a tiny bit of jealousy when someone sings in our church. When I hear a beautiful worship song on the radio, I wish I had the voice to share that song with the world for Him. What I’m learning is that I don’t need to sing to the world about God. I need to sing to God about my love for Him. I’ll use the other abilities He has given me to share with the world about Him, because I love Him so that I cannot be silent. After all, isn’t all worship a beautiful song to our Father?
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This article has been read 1903 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
11/07/05
Very nice--I've heard a series of sermons recently on recognizing God's voice; the words He spoke to you were so tender and loving. Thanks for sharing this!
Kell-Ann Hoyte
11/07/05
I'm sure that there are many that will identify with your experience (like me :D) Keep singing.
Victoria Weathers
11/07/05
I say keep singing. (I'm a "car" singer too.) This essay is sure to touch it's readers where they live. True worship from the heart is always music to our Father's ears.
Debbie Sickler
11/08/05
It's like you read my mind! I was thinking this same thing about singing-love to, but can't with out scaring everyone, including myself. You wrote this better then mine would have turned out though. Great job!
B Brenton
11/08/05
This is so true.
Paul Potenza
11/09/05
I feel compelled to tell you that your "song" is how you're living your life. I am writing this before I look at others comments because I want you to know that I am not just agreeing with others. I already love your voice. My wife thinks that she has a terrible voice and NEVER sings in public. But some of my most comforting moments are when I hear her singing quietly to herself when she's puttering around the kitchen. I think God is warmed and comforted in much the same way when He hears you singing.

Pauly
Rachel Rudd
11/09/05
I like your article. I, too, have struggled with singing because I so love to do so, but I don't know how many love to hear me!
Might I suggest that you delete the last sentence of the 1st paragraph? I think the article would flow even better if you did. Just a thought!
Katherine Douglas
11/10/05
I sing at home and in the car as well. One day while at the gas station my son was pumping the gas and I was so into my praise that I forgot the window was open. My son was very embarrassed when he got back into the car telling me how many of the other customers were laughing at me. I told him it didn't matter because my song was for God and not for those who only heard my voice. I so much can identify with your entry. I think you wrote it well.
Donna Wilson
11/11/05
Oh, how I agree! It must be music to His ears just to listen to your heart's desire of worship. I was thinking about my children when they were little. It didn't matter how they sounded when they said it. Just the word, "mother" was music to my ears. He must feel the same way when we worship Him. I can just hear Him saying proudly, "This is my kid!"

Thanks for sharing your feelings. I learned from it.