Singing I Go

One of my favorite things about growing up was the amount of singing that was done in our home. It was an environment created early on and just kept going through the years. It wasn’t necessarily to instruments, just whatever song came to our minds at the time. It wasn’t unusual for one of us kids to be singing at the top of our lungs and we would have to be reminded that there were other people in the house trying to work. And of course, whatever song someone else was singing would get stuck in my head for the rest of day! If anyone has a cure for that, I would love to know it. 😀 There was no vocal training (at least not in the early years) and I can’t say it was always beautiful. But what I remember most is the joyful environment it created.

As I’ve gotten older and have a home of my own and children to nurture I’ve come to appreciate this even more. Here are some thoughts about singing in the home…

Let’s face it. We are bombarded with music of every genre on every side. If your children watch any sort of movie or kids show there is a song that goes with it. But does it encourage your children towards godliness? There is an abundance of spiritual songs available, many geared toward young children. And they are FUN! Let’s be intentional about filling our children with spiritual songs. Sing those songs WITH your children!

Ephesians 5:19 speaks of being filled with the Spirit by “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

Singing hymns around the house can have great affect. Your children may not yet understand the spiritual truth bound in the words but as they grow older the Holy Spirit can use those scriptural truths in their hearts.

Everywhere. It’s that simple. In your car. In your house. In your child’s bed at night as they fall asleep. In church (of course!). In the playroom while you play with your children. Sing by yourself as you work; your children will hear you. Sing to your children. Sing with them!

One of the hardest times to sing is in the midst of a trial. I have discovered that a litmus test of my attitude is whether or not I’m able to sing praise to God in the moment. If I find myself unable to sing, I probably need to adjust my attitude. Many times, simply singing truth helps change my attitude! So…sing when it’s hard to sing! Grab your hymnal and pay attention to those words. Allow God to give you a song for your specific need. And He will!

Sing when you’re happy! Show the love of God to your children through song. They may not remember the quality of your singing, or even what you sing, but they will remember the joy that you displayed through song.

-Sing with JOY!  Psalm 95:1 “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”

-Sing with thanksgiving! Psalm 95:2 “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”

-Sing out loud. Psalm 59:16 “But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning; for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of trouble.”

My favorite instrument is the voice. The thing is, God gave this instrument to every person and it is unique to every individual. How will you use it in your home to bless and encourage those around you? How will you allow spiritual songs to encourage your own heart and your walk with the Lord?