Morning Songs

Psalm 27 & 28

Life is tough. Joy sometimes seems unattainable. Struggles abound and sometimes come in waves. Thus the expression, "When it rains, it pours."
For example, I have a story of struggles. Some of which I'll tell you. Some of which seem small, yet big. Trivial, yet straining.
So I'll tell you about a van named Herbie.
Herbie is an orchestra on wheels. We often hear a symphony of sound as we drive. From the squeak of the brakes, to the growls of the engine, and the roar of the muffler, we have been musically entertained for years. One could say Herbie is a symphonic menagerie.
Now, we have tweaked some of Herbie's tunes and changed the arrangement of several movements over the years, but he never ceases to amuse us in some way.
A few weeks ago, he had a flat tire. We had to replace all four tires, but he was good to go. On the way home, a small stone flew through the highway air and collided with Herbie's windshield. An instant spider-web crack developed. But Herbie made it home.
Several days later, one of Herbie's new tires was flat again. Upon examination by a mechanic, we were told that the tire had a manufacturer's defect and would be replaced. We waited for an appointment to open up. A few days passed, and we were parked at the recreation centre. A soccer team appeared on a nearby field and kicked a ball over the net, over the fence, and right into Herbie's windshield. Herbie must have had a sticker on his hood that said, "Hit me. I dare you." The challenge was met, as five minutes later the same soccer ball hit Herbie in the face again. Needless to say, Herbie was quite smashed by this point. In a row of seven vehicles, Herbie was hit twice, the windshield now destroyed. New glasses and a pedicure were in Herbie's future.

This is only part of Herbie's story.
And Herbie's story is only part of my story.
Other things in life have weighed down, frustrated, hurt and exasperated. Sometimes all at once. Sometimes one thing after another. Sometimes to the point of banging your head on a wall, pulling your hair out and shouting. Sometimes with tears streaming.

Yet joy pursues.

Every morning for the past seven days, I have awoken with a song in my heart. I love it when God does that. Songs of joy to begin again. Songs of praise to glorify Him even in the rough days.

Psalm 27:6 says, "At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices and shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music." (NLT)
Psalm 28:7 says, "He helps me and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." (NLT)
Offerings of joyful singing.
Bursting out in songs.

There is a huge connection between joy and music. God knows this. I think that's why He's been giving me morning songs when I wake. A new kind of symphonic sound to fill my ears and my heart.

Lesson in the journey ... Joy is found in musical love notes.