Music And Memory

I will sing of your love and justice, LORD. I will praise you with songs.

We sang a new version of an old song at a recent church service. The leader mentioned that Hillsong had released an album of revamped songs, including the one we were about to sing. I loved the new version, so I added the album to my queue when I arrived home.

One of the updated songs was “Eagle’s Wings,” which was first popular almost twenty years ago. It was a song my sister Katrina and her husband, Jim, both members of their worship team, often sang together.

When the music began to play through the speaker, tears fell as the song instantly reminded me of the last time I’d heard it.

On that day, Katrina could no longer sing it with us. We knew it was her final day on earth. With my family gathered around her hospital bedside, Jim began to sing. As I held my sister’s soft hand and joined in, my voice wobbled. The song is about surrendering to God and asking him to live and breathe in us. The reality that my sister was taking her final breaths and would soon meet Jesus face-to-face made the lyrics resonate anew.

Years later, as I listened to the new version, I found myself smiling through tears. Because the opportunity to relive that moment when love surrounded us and eternity was on the horizon? That was a priceless moment I don’t ever want to forget. I’m so grateful for the song that reminded me of that truth.

God designed music as a beautiful way for us to connect with one another and with him. It has the uncanny ability to circumvent our thinking brain and engage our emotions. It’s why we can’t remember what we ate for dinner last night but can sing a song from junior high word for word.

Songs can instantaneously remind us of a crush, a road trip, a job, a season, or a friendship. And when we use the gift of song to tell of God’s love and justice and mercy—when we choose to praise him in every circumstance—we connect with others in a powerful way. We create memories that linger long after the notes have ended.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Listen to a song that reminds you of something or someone memorable. Thank God for the gift of music.