Reason to sing...

Seriously...I don't mind washing dishes, doing laundry, cooking, sweeping, ironing or shopping.  But I do not enjoy scrubbing the tub.  I don't mind scubbing the sink or anything else in the bathroom.  It's just that the tub is...well...my least favorite chore.  :) 

Recently, our daughter and I were discussing different household duties and "the one" we dread most.  I shared that I discovered a way to get through dreaded chores when I was a teenager.  Raised in a family of seven, with four brothers and no sisters, one of my chores was cleaning the kitchen and washing dishes.  That became quite a challenge for seven people, three times a day, if everyone was home.  It included dishes, glassware, silverware and cookware.  It was overwhelming to see stacks to wash, dry and put away. Sometimes it seemed I spent more time at the kitchen sink than anywhere else in the house. 

Yet a minor change in the approach greatly altered my perspective.  After receiving a stereo one Christmas, I realized that playing music while I cleaned the kitchen made the task more enjoyable and less dreaded.  In fact, it became "my time" to play classical music...or rock and roll music, depending on my preference at the moment.  The dreaded time became a time of learning, singing, "air microphone" and "air piano" opportunities.

Isaiah 49: 13 says:
"Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains!  For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones."

I began thinking about this verse recently.  Since my kitchen/laundry/babysitting/house-cleaning teenage years, I have also learned to sing, play, write, compose and direct through various seasons of life's journey.  What a joy to tranform what's on my heart into words and music!  It certainly influences my perspective.

Yet even greater, how amazing to know that whatever happens within us, around us or to us, God is with us.  His very Presence gives us reason to sing!  His comfort, compassion and consistent love surround us...always.  Sure, our hearts will be full of celebration sometimes while broken other times.  But what incredible peace, hope and joy we have knowing that He holds us and loves us.  If the heavens, earth and mountains have reason to rejoice, I certainly have reason to join them.  Thank You, God, for giving us reason to sing, praise and honor You...through it all.♥~thl