A Joyful Noise [Joy - Week Three]

“Oh come, let us a sing to the Lord; 

let us make a JOYFUL NOISE to the Rock of our Salvation.” 

Psalm 95:1

I'm a little late posting my Monday morning JOY message, but I am just getting home from a few days in New Orleans —the City of Music—with my daughters, Emily and Sarah, and my granddaughter, Mimi Grace. What a treat! 

At 19 months, Mimi is the absolute embodiment of a “joyful noise!”  We pretty much sang and danced our way through each day together. When music enters the scene, Mimi’s little face lights up and it doesn’t take much to get her hands clapping and her tiny feet stomping. 

This girl is happy AND she knows it! 

We sang in the kitchen and in the car. We sang in the backyard and in the bath tub. There were spontaneous dance parties in the family room and Sunday we even got to listen to a jazz musician playing his saxophone in the park. 

Honestly, it’s exactly what her grandma (Birdy) needed this week. There is something so health-bringing in a small child’s abandonment and energy especially when it comes to music.

My very favorite was hearing Mimi sing “Jesus Loves Me.” She’s not getting all the words quite yet, but she sings the ones that mostly count. Mimi’s version goes something like this:

“Jesus … Jesus … Jesus. Loves. Bible … Bible … Bible.”

Yep, that’s pretty much perfect in my book. And so true -- Jesus and His Word.  

As I headed home earlier today I wasn't allowed to pack up my little music-loving Mimi  and bring her back with me, but, you can be sure, I am following her lead and taking home her reminder to keep making joyful noises. 

To keep making music even in this week facing more scans.  (PET scan is Thursday).

Music releases something wonderful within us and I know it’s an important part of my search for joy right now. Though I’m not much a singer, I am grateful God has given me a deep love for the piano. I play most every day. But don’t be surprised if you stop over and find me marching around my kitchen banging a pot and singing at the top of my lungs, “If You’re Happy and You Know it!”  

So, friends, sing with me and memorize this week’s JOY verse in honor of my sweet granddaughter, Mimi: 

“Oh come, let us a sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our Salvation.” Psalm 95:1

"The song of rejoicing softens hard hearts. It makes tears of godly sorrow flow from them. Singing summons the Holy Spirit. Happy praises offered in simplicity and love lead the faithful to complete harmony, without discord. Don't stop singing."  ~ Hildegard von Bingen

baby brother coming in June!