The Joy Of Singing

The Bible makes many references to praising God in song and sound: "Make a joyful noise to the Lord" (Psalm 100:1); "O sing to the Lord a New Song" (Psalm 96:1); "And David danced before the Lord with all his might" (2 Samuel 4); "And all the trees of the fields will clap their hands" (Isaiah 55:2); "And day and night they never ceased to sing, holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty" (Revelation 4:8).

Many years ago on a warm spring day my teenage son and I were sitting in the living room talking. The sliding glass doors to the third-floor balcony were open, the sun was pouring into the room, and the cats were stretched out beside the screen soaking up the sun. The radio was playing a classical piece (possibly Bach or Mozart) that was very melodic - at least to me it was, maybe even to my son. There are several small miracles in this snapshot of time: 1) My son and I were talking; 2) No one was objecting to my choice of music; 3) The cats had decided to grace us with their presence in a calm and peaceful manner; and 4) The room was full of warm sunlight and the fragrances of spring.

Suddenly a small brown bird landed on the railing. He fluffed his feathers, cocked his head as if he were listening to the music, lifted his beak to the sky, and from his tiny throat poured forth the most glorious song. The notes blended well with the piece that was playing. For a few minutes, we were treated to a concert of pure joy and praise. Then the music came to an end, the little bird drew out his last note, bobbed his head a few times as if to acknowledge some ovation that we were unable to hear and soared off to bring his joy elsewhere.

No one moved. Not me, not my son, not even the cats. Neither my son nor I said anything. The moment was too magical to comment on. But when the winter in my heart needs to be reminded that spring will come, I go back to that moment in time when the little bird taught us the joy of singing. And I, too, find that pouring out my "song" fills the air around me with sunshine and praise.

— Faith Fisler

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist