Music is an essential part of my household. One of the things I love about spending time with my husband and Labalaba (my daughter’s nickname). Its our family singing and dancing sessions. It starts with one song then it rolls into one song after another. Until we have danced our way through a whole album’s worth. One thing that this gives me is excitement and happiness. It brings laughter, tears and tiredness of joy.
Artwork Courtesy of Real Express
Sometimes Labalaba will be walking down the road singing away. Maybe not as loud as we would be at home. However, with her I feel like we are in our own bubble and can just be free to sing. As I sit here and write, it reminds me of how God is excited about us and loves when we are happy. When we just rejoice and praise Him. The impact does not just stay with God or us, but it has a ripple effect that touches those around us.
It’s very hard to refuse an excited pre-schooler’s request to join in with her singing and dancing sessions. Who can say no? Even my lovely conservative dad has been observed doing some clapping and singing. Praising, rejoicing and singing is therapeutic. God knew what it would do to us when we are cheerful or merry.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)
We see in the Bible various moments where dancing, praising and singing has been used by various characters. For example, in Exodus 15:20-21, Miriam uses a timbral and dancing to “sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously!” (NKJV)
The focus was on God and even when there was negative feedback. The positive benefits outweigh the opposition and is encouraging to others.
Psalm 147:1 encourages us to “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.” (NKJV)
Ephesians 5:19 tells us that we can “speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (NKJV)
You might be thinking that I am not in the mood to praise, rejoice or worship because of my situation or circumstance. I get like that too, but I am inspired and challenged when I read stories from the slavery times in Black History and the negro spiritual songs that were used to empower and communicate messages of reassurance.
Similarly, in the Bible, the story Paul and Silas in Acts 16 highlights that even though they were in prison and their feet were in stocks. They were praying and singing to God not before or after but during their imprisonment while other prisoners were listening.
The Challenge for today is to adopt a lifestyle of praise, rejoicing and worship with uplifting songs. Below are two of my Labalaba’s favourite songs to get you started.
Bible Texts:- Exodus 15:20-21, Psalm 147:1, Proverbs 17:22, Acts 16 , Ephesians 5:19
Songs:-
Glad by Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy (Start from 0:50secs)
Be Exalted by Watoto Children’s Choir
Sorry had to add another song… Joy of the Lord by Rend Collective
Artwork Courtesy of Real Express
Labalaba Wonders (Thoughts and questions from a young child’s mind)
Labalaba wakes up from a nap and says “Good Morning Mummy.” I tell her “it’s afternoon labalaba.” Labalaba responsed “ok, good morning Mummy.” What more could I say? The joys of 3yr old logic.
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