Grateful Notes and Letters

Good Wednesday morning!

I have one leftover picture from Sunday's family dinner of Katie which I've added to the Gallery today. I also have pictures of yesterday's Easy Potato Soup from beginning to end. Ladies... Make the soup! Delicious!

JUST A THOUGHT - I wanted to mention a little flaw I have today because I want to talk about something near and dear to my heart. Here goes. (Deep breath.) I don't like some of the new praise music we have in our churches today. There! I said it! Oh, the freedom!

It has nothing to do with the words in the songs. It has nothing to do with the music being geared more to younger people. I don't have a problem with those things. Honestly. And I do not stand in church with a sour look on my face with my arms crossed over my chest, lips closed tightly. Well, sometimes I do, but that has more to do with my pantyhose being twisted to the point of cutting off circulation from my knees down, or something significant like that. Not the music.

And I will say, our church does an EXCELLENT job of having a "mix." I appreciate and love the fact that our music director knows the importance of the old hymns, as well as the newer music, being used in our church services.

That being said, some of the problem is the repetition. You would think with my fading memory, I would appreciate shorter, repetitive songs, but it actually has the opposite effect. I am also a big fan of the three to four minute hymn as opposed to the eight minute praise chorus. (I tend to have a shorter attention span than most women my age, I think. It's down to two minutes... unless I'm the one doing the talking.)

Now having said the above and possibly upsetting a lot of people, let me assure you it is just a preference. Everyone has preferences. I don't wear fuchsia colored clothes, but I don't dislike people who do. I don't have 40 body piercings and 90% of my body covered with tattoos, but I don't... Well, actually those people scare me a little, but I'm sure I'd like them very much if I really got to know them... I just know it!

It's the same thing as having a favorite singer, or a favorite type of music... or a favorite old hymn. It's just me, and it's okay. Really, it is. (I'm a rebel that way!)

Now that I've admitted to having this horrific flaw, I will tell you why I love the hymns. I have always loved the "story" many of the old hymns tell. When my babies were new, I picked two hymns to sing to them as lullabies.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

At 3:00 a.m., holding a newborn baby singing this beautiful song to him or her, I felt like I was teaching them the importance of keeping earthly things in perspective... even at that early, early age. Or was I just reminding myself?

The other song I chose as my children's lullaby was sang at my wedding by my childhood friend, Teresa.

"There's a sweet, sweet spirit in this place. And I know that it's the spirit of the Lord. There are sweet expressions on each face. And I know that it's the presence of the Lord. Sweet Holy Spirit. Sweet Heavenly Dove. Stay right here with me, filling me with His love. And for these blessings, we lift our hearts in praise. Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived when we shall leave this place."

At our wedding, our prelude music consisted of old hymns Mike and I both had grown up with and loved. I could name many hymns that have touched me in a special way during special times in my life... but Mikie says my posts have become a little "wordy."

But I do remember this. The Sunday after 9/11, we sang hymn after hymn after hymn in the service... It Is Well With My Soul, Amazing Grace, and so many more. We needed those songs. We needed the comforting words.

While I understand the importance of both kinds of music in our worship service (and I do), nothing will ever be as comforting and meaningful and worshipful (to me) than the oldies. (And I admit, that may be because I'm becoming more and more of an "oldie" myself with each passing day!)

I'll leave you with one of my favorites.

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found. Was blind, but now I see. When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we first begun." Beautiful words telling a beautiful story. I love the old hymns!

Wednesday Wisdom - I actually have two this morning, both of which struck my fancy. (How's that for an old-fashioned phrase?)

"It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart." Anonymous.

"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses." Anonymous.

Grateful Notes and Letters

I read on a blog today where a woman was writing 50 letters in 50 days to people who meant something special to her. She wasn't waiting until next month or even next week. She was doing it TODAY. She had already received responses from some of her letters. Isn't that amazing? The written word can be so powerful.

Now, I know what you are thinking. "I am NOT going to have time to write 50 letters in 50 days during the holiday season." I totally understand. But what if you made this idea your own? What if you took this basic concept and made it fit your lifestyle at this particular season in your life?

For example, the number 50 is mind boggling unless you are TOTALLY committed to the idea. I will readily admit that. However, could you write FIVE letters in the month of November telling five different people the impact they have had on your life, or why you are grateful for them?

Okay. If we have a workable number, we can decide how we want to write the letter. Do you panic at the thought of sitting down and handwriting a letter, addressing it, buying a stamp and mailing it? If so, could you type it and e-mail it to the people? Would that make it more workable for you?

Now that you have decided how you're going to physically write the letter, does it have to be two or three pages in length? No. If you are a "to the point" kind of person, it is fine for your letter to be "to the point," too.

This has now become a very doable November tradition. In fact, you could start today. You will never know what your words of encouragement or love or gratitude or thankfulness may mean to another person... unless you actually write the letter!

That's your challenge for this month. (Mine, too!) Let's make a difference in some people's lives this month. Let's make this November 2009 count!

Have a great Wednesday. Tell someone you are thankful for them (and why) today. Not tomorrow. TODAY! We aren't promised tomorrow... and neither is the person we need to tell. Thursday I have a nice autumnal date along with some really good Blog Linkage. You'll want to check back for just a moment or two for those links.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda