May Threads:: Endless Song
Monthly prayer practice to find joy in the car, the shower and anywhere else
Lately, my children have been asking me to sing them lullabies. Every night they ask me to sing. I never really sang to them as babies. I could never remember the words and was never really sure what to sing.
I opted instead not to sing.
My two sweet girls sing endlessly. They are singing now to their babies in whatever game they are busy playing below me on the floor. They sing while we are in the car. They sing to comfort themselves and just because there is something on their hearts that compels them to sing.
I love this hymn but I have never really understood the lyrics. I wish I had a song to sing for every moment but I have been too consumed with getting it right. I hear my voice crack and know that I can’t possibly hit that note. Endless song is not what I have but doubt and uncertainty.
My children are reminding me to sing anyway. They don’t care how well I might sing so this is the practice I invite you to share with me this month. Let’s open ourselves to song.
Sing in the car and in the shower. Belt it out and relish in the sheer joy of lifting your voice.
Sing when you are sad and uncertain. Opt for your favorite breakup song or ask God listen to what hurts most in this familiar Taize song.
Sing when you are working and perusing justice. Recall the way that music has been used to encourage and inspire those in the struggle or share in this playlist from Porter’s Gate.
Sing when you are not sure what to sing. Take a lead from my children who sing every single thought in their heads in some chant-like form.
Sing when joy fills you with wonder. Choose a hymn that matches your hope or turn on the radio and rock out with your hairbrush in hand. This is my personal favorite.
I hope and pray you find endless song tangled in all of the wonders of your life this month. As you are inspired to do so, please share in the comments below your experience of singing.
As you enter into this May practice, here are some questions for reflection and prayer.
What keeps you from singing in endless song?
What song is God singing right now? Can you sing along?
How do you share in the joy of singing with others?
What song do you notice you sing most often this month?
Singing still feels risky at this point in the pandemic and yet church is one of the few places left that we sing together. I’m thinking about those two things on the first day of the month. I don’t know what they mean exactly. As I considered this practice for myself this month, I was also reminded of these thoughts on God’s complex music from the beginning of the pandemic.
If the sheer idea of this practice intimidates everything in your body, give a listen to how to find your singing voice in 5 easy steps.
This is a new monthly feature I’m hoping to offer each month and will eventually become a paid feature along with a few other threads I’m hoping to weave together. I’m not yet ready to make that move but I’m busy dreaming and appreciate your kindness in wandering through all these possibilities with me.
If you are interested in spiritual direction and are interested in a first conversation with me, please reach out or go ahead and book an appointment here. I am currently welcoming new directees and would be delighted to explore the holy threads of this life with you.