The Gift of Music

A sweet melody keeps rolling around in my head. It's a happy melody without any words. I'm asking myself is it something I know, is it a part of something I know. It could very well be, I couldn't tell you for sure, but even if it is, they can't charge me with plagiarism in my mind. When I think about all the beautiful music I have heard all my life, all I can really do is be thankful to God, because that's where it all comes from. All the great composers and musicians down throughout the history of mankind and of music is one of beauty and greatness, all which give glory to God. Music is a gift God gives, to those who make it and to those who hear it. Not all music has a calming effect (that would be an understatement, especially in our day and age), but it affects us all in different ways. Depending on their musical preferences, people choose what they want to listen to because it makes them feel a certain way, or, at least, gets their mind off their troubles. People have all different musical preferences and that can be a stumbling block for some. For me, it's a stumbling block if it is harsh and stringent. I don't know of a better word for it. My definition of it is biting, forceful and demanding of my attention over the whole of the piece, whatever it is. Everyone is different in this regard, and I only mention it in passing. What I'm really wanting to do is express gratitude to God for music and for some other beautiful things I experienced today. I saw a little robin hopping across the street, it was so wonderful, and a flock of birds rising up together around a tree as if in celebration of their return home and recognition of the soon arrival of spring. The sun kept trying to come out all day, after a week of cold and wind and rain. At some point midmorning it actually came out for a few minutes. I thought it was going to last longer, but at least for the moment it was out, my heart filled with joy and praise to God. When I think about my life, it's not the life I ordered, it's not. But, thank God, it's the life I've got. Been hearing a lot today about thanking God for what we've got instead of complaining about what we don't have, and this by a man with no limbs. Can you imagine? His name is Nick Vujicic. He is of Serbian descent and has a condition called tetra-amelia syndrome, meaning he has no arms and legs. He is an evangelist and motivational speaker. That should give us all pause. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).