By JANET HART LEONARD
From the Hart
“Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee.” We all know what follows … “How great Thou art.”
There is a spiritual balm in that old hymn.
Whether you are singing with a large congregation or singing along with Carrie Underwood in the car, you can feel the emotion in your soul. It just feels good.
This week I pondered what makes my soul sing.
It’s interesting that it is not usually found in the grandiose, planned-for moments.
For me, it’s found in the moments of discovery where I feel my heart begin to smile and my soul settle in; to appreciate and celebrate the passion and love of others. It is in those moments I realize the goodness as well as the greatness of God.
Sitting in the auditorium of Grace Church, a few weeks ago, Chuck and I were enjoying the music composed by my friend, Penny Rodriguez. She has a passion and love for taking classic poems and making the lyrics come to life in song.
As her fingers touched the keys it was as if they were telling a story that my soul needed to hear. They weren’t hymns but I watched and listened as Penny used her God-given talent for an evening of music for a weary soul. If your soul is weary you might want to listen to Velvet Shoes on Spotify.
Sometimes I just need time with a few girlfriends to quench my thirst for both serious and silly conversation.
A couple of Thursdays ago, my friend Patrice and I were invited to have lunch at the home of our friend, Claudette. We became friends when our mothers lived at Five Star Assisted Living. Sadly, all three of our mothers passed in the last 10 months.
I was not expecting a grand feast. I would say it was a Thanksgiving luncheon because we all had so much for which to be thankful. We did not leave there hungry, but it was more than our stomachs that were filled. Claudette has the God-given gift of hospitality. I know my heart needed those moments of shared tears and laughter.
The fall scent of burning candles. Flowers tucked on tables amidst a beautifully decorated home. A feast that our mothers would have enjoyed. Let’s just say Claudette knows how to satisfy the hunger pains with homemade culinary delights. But … it was the conversation that satisfied my soul.
We all understand how our hearts are feeling as we go through the first year of grief.
Grief is bitter. But, oh, the sweetness of friendship.
We are created to need friends. We are created to celebrate. Our souls have these needs.
More than ever, we need to find the time to celebrate those moments when we can say … then sings my soul. Seek and ye shall find them. Your soul will smile and thank you.