Today’s scripture: Psalm 95:1-4 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Melody Merida):
Every night when I put my son to bed, we sing a few songs together. Sometimes he chooses to sing “Twinkle, twinkle little star”, sometimes he chooses “You are my sunshine”, but most of the time he chooses the “Brody songs”. Now what are the Brody songs, you wonder?
Well, I’ve taken a few popular children’s songs and replaced some of the lyrics so that they are specific to my little boy. For example, “Bingo” is a common song that most people know: “There was a farmer had a dog and Bingo was his name-o”. In my house we sing a slightly altered version of that song. I’ve changed the lyrics to represent my relationship with my son and spelled his name instead of Bingo’s: “B-r-o-d-y, B-r-o-d-y, B-r-o-d-y, and Brody is his name-o”! There are a couple others like this that have been changed specially for Brody, especially for his bedtime songs.
What is interesting about these silly little songs is that Brody loves them. Almost every night of the week he wants me to sing the Brody songs. And he delights in hearing them when I do sing them. It isn’t hard to understand why he loves them–and it’s not because of my singing voice. He loves those songs because they speak to my love for him, my delight in him, and my feelings about how special he is to me. I dare say that, every night, as we sing those songs, Brody and I are becoming more tightly knit together as mother and son. Those songs are magic for us!
As I read today’s scripture passage, I was reminded of this nightly routine that takes place in my home. Those songs are my way of “making a joyful noise with songs of praise” for my son. As my son is thrilled to hear the Brody songs, think about how God must be thrilled when we sing songs of praise–“The God Songs”. Likewise, think about what it does for us to connect in such an intimate way with God. There is truly something remarkable that happens when we lift our voices in praise to God. I’m not just talking about in church or with a choir–though those are great ways to sing God’s praises. Instead, I’m imagining that joyful noise being an intimate, magical moment wherein you and God are becoming more tightly knit together.
Thought for the day: Find some time today to make a joyful noise to God and see if it doesn’t just create a little magic for you too! For great is our God and worthy of our praise. Sing a “God Song” today.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.