Easy Go, Easy Come

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I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. – Psalm 104:33

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have had my struggles with my health, mainly allergies and frequent colds, bronchitis, and one summer, pneumonia. (Good grief, who gets pneumonia in the summer?! I do, apparently. – *eye roll*)

The most frustrating thing about these physical frailties has been the loss of my voice – my singing voice, and at times, even my speaking voice. I have written a few posts regarding the kind of frustration that comes with losing the ability to communicate easily.

Easter Tears

I would like to “sing to the LORD as long as I live,” but I’ve learned that’s not something I can take for granted. Every time my voice takes a vacation, I experience the feeling of an empty space in my life, until gradually it returns, and I promise myself I will never take singing for granted ever again.

A couple of years ago I lost my singing voice for an extended period of time, even longer than usual. Over the weeks and months I sadly came to accept that at church I was to mouth the words of the songs, meditate on and appreciate their meaning, and relish the time surrounded by brothers and sisters who sang their worship in heavenly four-part harmony. I felt I was getting a brief glimpse of eternity in God’s presence, a scene of which I was not yet a part but could look forward to as I wait for that glorious “someday” when I would be singing with them – forever.

Another blessing in my life is my church home group that meets every two weeks to fellowship, discuss the recent sermons, and pray for one another. On one of those nights I was asked, as usual, “How can we pray for you?” I responded with the first thing that came to mind:

“Would you pray I get my voice back? I want to sing to the Lord!”

When the prayer time came, the hostess of the group prayed a wonderful, heartfelt prayer that the Lord would give me back my “beautiful voice” so I could sing His praises.

A couple of nights later we had our daughter’s kids over to spend the night. As I lay next to Charlotte, she asked, “Nana, would you sing to me?” Of course, my heart melted, and I “gave it the ol’ college try.”

The results were less than stellar. After my voice cracked for the fourth or fifth time, I sighed and gave up. The little one was already asleep, so she didn’t see the tears. I prayed and again committed my voice to the Lord and resolved to be patient while it ever-so-slowly came back. I already knew what to expect – little moments of clarity and hope with slowly diminishing periods of hoarseness in between, until at last I could sing again.

Sunday morning I was in church with Charlotte, and just before the service started, we needed to make a quick trip to the ladies’ room. As we walked back into the sanctuary, the congregation was singing one of my new favorite songs, and the desire to sing with them was overwhelming.

What the heck... I thought, and I impulsively began belting out the words I had memorized …

… loudly, clearly, and right on key! My voice was back! Just like that!

I had never experienced a rebound as sudden as what had just happened, and it wasn’t a momentary recovery. I sang the entire the song by heart, and my voice stayed strong for every song after that. This time the tears weren’t from frustration but from sheer joy and wonderment. This was not the agonizingly slow recovery I had been expecting.

But then, it wasn’t about what I was expecting, or what I could do, or what I had worked on. This was God, pure and simple. It was an instant miracle that left me awestruck. He did it not only to surprise and delight one of His children, but more than that, for His glory. I knew it instantly. The title of song said it all:

“Yet not I, but through Christ in Me.” 

Prayer: Lord, Your gifts are so precious, never to be taken for granted. You’ve given us ways to worship You that not only please You, but fill us with joy, as well. Your Word says that You inhabit the praises of Your people, and when we sing our hearts out to You, we sense Your presence among us – and within us. Thank You for being our heavenly Father, the Lover of our souls, our Counselor, Comforter, Shepherd, Provider, Protector, Healer – our Everything! How could we not sing to You? May we sing Your praises for as long as we live! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Published by seekingdivineperspective

I am a forgiven sinner and adopted child of God, seeking to see life from His perspective - as opposed to the world's flawed perspective - and living my life accordingly.

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31 thoughts on “Easy Go, Easy Come”

  7. A wonderful reminder to not take for granted the gifts He blesses us with. He was ensuring that your voice was His instrument and all for His glory.
    Thank you for sharing Annie 🌺🤗

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  10. I identify. I started singing solos in church when I was a child. I sang in choir, in ensembles, in praise teams, in duets, trios and quartets. I sang in restaurants or wherever. I loved to sing all the time. But I had sinus trouble always, which always made me dependent on the Lord to provide the voice. As I aged, the voice began to decline, and the voice began to crack and to disappear altogether. It comes and it goes, but I am resolved to this being my situation. I don’t sing out loud much any more, but I sing all throughout the day in my mind and in my heart as song after song after song goes through my head. The Lord often speaks to me through songs which are Scripture put to music. I probably need to sing out loud more, but it hurts sometimes to sing. Anyway, thank you for this. It was very encouraging and inspiring. And maybe I will try again to sing out loud. There is much joy in doing so. I agree. Love to you, Annie! I appreciate your heart!! Sue

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      1. Annie, thank you. I appreciate the encouragement. Part of it is that I just don’t have a lot of time to sing, for I am either writing or I am sleeping or I am spending time with my husband and with my kids and grandkids, or we are out in public shopping or eating or whatever. But your post encouraged me that I need to pursue that more, so thanks!

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  13. Pingback: Easy Go, Easy Come — Seeking Divine Perspective – QuietMomentsWithGod

      1. Yes, In fact I post something every day! I have no idea why you aren’t getting them. My post goes live at 6am central time every morning. Try checking the “Reader” tab. Anyway, have a blessed Sunday, Annie!

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