Thanks to the Contemplative Christians site, where you can read more about this and see the source of the graphic.
This week, I've been trying to think how to write about the place that singing has in my prayer life. This is as opposed to singing in my worship life...which is entirely different, but hugely important.
Tuesday of this week, I took our Josie to the vet. We had noticed a small lump in her mammary area, and that morning it seemed larger. We were very worried.
The vet took a sample and said that there were some cells he needed the pathologist to look at. More worry. The next day, vet called and said there were no cancerous cells, and that we should just watch the spot.
Huge relief!
I'm thinking back to the vet visit, though. They took the sample and brought her back to me while the vet looked at it under the microscope. As I held her in the exam room (happy, peppy, totally unaware that anything might be wrong), I started to sing softly. "Come Ye Weary" and "I Will Rejoice in the Lord Alway" and spirituals. It wasn't for Josie...she doesn't care if I sing. It was for me. It was prayer, and it was comfort.
When Ken was in the hospital in December '12, I did the same thing one late bad night. Now, Ken cares if I sing. As in, he'd rather I wouldn't. Because he has perfect pitch and I don't. So I mostly refrain when I am with him (and not in a choral setting). A cappella singing is not my forte! But I had such deep pain that night, and so did he, and I didn't know how to pray for him otherwise. He didn't object (that was nice of him). Because I needed it.
There are times when singing is all that gets me through...in the car, when I am sad; in the laundry room, when I am happy.
Looking at the tree, they categorize it as "creative" activity, which I think is true. Prayer singing helps me open a space for me and the prayer intention...the beloved dog, the precious ill spouse, the people I lift up during the quotidian work of laundry.
Do you sing? Why? When? Where?
