There are several songs that the Tabernacle Choir sings that have brought me true healing. Healing that is always needed when I feel deficient in personally managing my emotions and my grief. I will list them below (along with a few non-Tabernacle Choir songs) just so you know what they are and just in case you may need to listen to them too, at some point.
My mother-in-law passed away today, peacefully. She had been in poor health for most of the time I had known her. But even given that fact, there had been no indication recently that she would pass to the next life, today. It just happened. It was her time. And since God's timing is perfect, most especially in matters of life and death, it does bring some comfort to know that it was meant to be and that she's now in a much better place, free from illness and able to continue her eternal life in a way that will pay tribute to her strengths, her love, her kindness, her interest in people, and her desire to serve. While it was difficult to make a deep connection with her simply because of her limited capacities to truly be "in the moment" (and because of some of the medications she was on), I certainly have a love for her and gratitude in my heart for the effort and love she put in to raising her family, supporting our family, and in bringing light to others.
Her death caused me to reflect on the passing of my sister--who also died on a Sunday a few years ago and who had been dealing with both physical and mental challenges of her own. Normally on her death anniversary, I take some time to honor her memory by thinking about her and listening to songs that remind me of her. But last week I wasn't able to do that, fully, given other things that were going on at the time. So I'm glad that today I was finally able to do that. It's important to remember. It's important to keep feeling. It's important to keep figuring out how it all ties in with your personal journey of faith.
The year 2020 has been, honestly, the most challenging year I've ever had. And my wife could certainly say the same. Perhaps it's been the same for you, too. I sincerely hope that music has helped you through your valleys of sorrow and given you some hope and light to keep moving forward. I know that music has done just that, for me. I've learned, too, that it's OK to be sad. It's OK to struggle. It's OK to wonder as we wander. For in that wondering and wandering, we figure out things. We grow.
Some songs for your moments of healing.
It is Well with My Soul (link | commentary)
Pilgrim's Song (link | commentary)
How Firm a Foundation (link | commentary)
How Gentle God's Commands (link)
Sleep in the Storm (link)
By Your Side (link)
Until next time, God be with you.
No comments:
Post a Comment