Several years ago, my friend and I sang at a Christian Women’s Conference. Following the music, the speaker had a special exercise for us. She gave us a slip of paper and instructed us to think about the following phrase, “If I could be an animal, what would I be?” we were to write the animal on a slip of paper and to be ready to share with the group and to tell everyone why.

  That was easy. I didn’t have to think twice. I removed the blue cap from my Bic pen and wrote Songbird.

The woman walked around the room making comments and offering suggestions. When she stopped at my chair, I could feel her disapproval. “I don’t think you understand,” she said. “Think of a wonderful, majestic animal. If you must be a bird, why not be something fearless and majestic – an Eagle would be a great choice!”

“But I am not majestic nor am I a bird of prey. I would be a songbird and always will be. As long as I can remember, I sang constantly. Washing dishes, swinging on the swing in our back yard or on the front porch, sweeping the floor, preparing lessons to teach, gently waking my sister and brother. (Okay, that may have been a bit obnoxious but I meant to wake them gently, cheerfully.) Riding in the car, whatever I am doing, I sing. It comes naturally. I don’t usually think about it, it just swells up in my soul and flows past my lips – sometimes I sing without realizing it.”

“Well,” she said, “Eagles soar high and their voice is powerful.”

“I learned many years ago that it isn’t always the loud, powerful songs that touch the soul but the soft, soothing lullabies, quiet songs of consecration, pleading songs of invitation, cheerful songs to lift the weary soul and earnest songs of praise unto the Lord. This is what God placed on my heart for ministry. When I was a candy striper in the hospital, it was hymns sang softly that calmed the hurting, pediatric patients. When I was a small child, my grandfather who suffered from emphysema asked me to sing for him when he was having a difficult time breathing. He always said it helped. This is why I am a songbird. To soothe, to calm, to praise Him and to give Him the glory.  I can and do sing the Eagle songs when He places these songs on my heart. He usually gives me the softer songs to sing.”

We each have a job to do. Whether you are soprano, alto, tenor or bass, He has asked us to “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”

There are so many passages in Scripture about singing; it must be important to the Lord. After all, He made the songbird and the eagle. Whatever bird we fancy ourselves to be isn’t important as long as we lift our voices to Him!

I was playing the piano this weekend and ran across this song. He prompted me to share some of the wonderful old hymns with you and Monday Melody began. So lift your voice with me and sing. (Check out the link below. The group singing reminds me of the Church from my early years as a believer. So if you have a hymnal, turn to the following song and sing along.

I Will Sing the Wondrous Story

   ♫ Francis H. Rowley     ♫ Peter P. Bilhorn

http://youtu.be/9ahjKfVb4Lc

“I will sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me

How He left His home in glory for the cross of Calvary.

       Yes I’ll sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me,

        Sing it with the saints in glory, gathered by the crystal sea.”