The Sandbag Times Issue No: 34

Sing Your Song...
I love to listen to the words of songs. Some people can hit the
nail on the head through lyrics in ways we can never say to each
other in conversations. I have to confess of being a bit of a
soppy thing when it comes to music, I am very easily moved.
But so many songs carry so many meanings.
Very soon we have to say goodbye to an old friend who passed
away last week. He was another music lover. In fact he used to
present the Wooster Country Show on VIP Radio, the old venture
we used to play around with. I cannot tell you how proud I
was when his wife asked me to play a guitar piece at his funeral.
I’m practicing very hard and I pray that God will help me play
well and pay tribute to a very fine man.
It’s funny, when we heard the news, after the initial shock of his
passing, we celebrated his life through music. Having a glass of
beer and playing and singing the songs he loved. I have to say
it helped enourmously. Yes, it was a very sad occasion, but it’s
as if we played him out. I could just imagine him looking down
and joining in. I’m sure he would have loved that.
During the afternoon, while we were celebrating his life, a song
crossed my mind which kind of brought things home to me. It’s
a Neil Diamond song that he wrote around 10 years ago called
‘Hell Yeah’. If you can find it on youtube and listen to the lyrics.
There is one section that really stood out for me when I thought
about our friend, Dave..
So if they ask you when I'm gone
Was it everything he wanted?
When he had to travel on
Did he know he'd be missed?
You can tell them this
Hell yeah he did!, He saw it all
He walked the line, Never had to crawl
He cried a bit, But not for long
Hell yeah, He found the life that he was after
Filled it up with love and laughter
Finally got it right, And made it fit
Hell yeah he did!
One of those lyrics that really hits home, eh. But it’s not this
particular song or this particular situation which is the main point
of this reflection. It is a way of saying things we cannot normally
say. If you wanted to talk to God because of something on your
mind, or something you needed to ask, how would you do it?
Those who are regular church goers would pray as they have
been taught but there are many of us out there who find it difficult
to speak to God in that way. Some feel they are not worthy
to go to church, they may not feel they ‘fit’. I know from experience
that is a common feeling in veterans. So here is a good
idea, just think of that song that really speaks to you and see if it
fits what you wat to ask. Music is a wonderful way of speaking
to God. He truly loves music:
2 Chronicles 5:13
The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and
thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and
other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the
LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the
temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud,
The bible is full of instances where music is used to praise the
Lord. It is nothing new. So if there is anything you need to say
to God or anyone else come to think about it, use a song. You
can even just sing it in your head, God will hear it.
On a final note, this week will be a sad but also a joyous occasion.
We will mourn the passing of a friend but also celebrate a
man who loved music. We can be sure that he has been welcomed
in to God’s house with open arms and that truly is a reason
to celebrate and feel good that he is being taken care of..
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