Join the Spiritual Thursday round up at Reading, Teaching, Learning.
Holly invites us to reflect on our spiritual journey every Thursday. This week I’ve been thinking about healing.
Music is such a healing medicine. One of my favorite bands in our area is Stop the Clock Cowboy Jazz. The group includes 10, sometimes more, musicians. Ever since the Lafayette shooting, Kelly sings “Smile.” No matter what, this song stirs something in me. I could replace the word smile with hope. Hope though your heart is aching. God’s love offers hope, no matter what.
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking.
When there are clouds in the sky
you’ll get by.If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through
For you.Light up your face with gladness,
Hide every trace of sadness.
Although a tear may be ever so nearThat’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying.
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile-
If you just smile.Read more: Charlie Chaplin – Smile Lyrics | MetroLyrics
I saw this video posted on Facebook. The song was written by Jo-El Sonnier, a Cajun musician, and performed by a number of local musicians. The Healin’ Song was originally written in 2001 after 9/11, but was not recorded until after the shooting at the Grand Theater in Lafayette. Whenever musicians get together and share their love of music and culture and place, healing can happen. The Acadiana community has bonded and become a stronghold for us.
Turning to music in times of grief is nothing new. The Psalms are just that, songs written for healing.
Sacred words,
words in verse,
words in song
carry a rhythm into your heart,
a beat that can bring life back
to the darkest places
and let light shine through
to warm,
to soothe,
to heal
and make new.
Joanne Shih lettering
Margaret – I’m glad you wrote from your heart today. Music is indeed healing. In 2008, we had a health crisis in our family, and I listened to our local Christian radio station ALL THE TIME. I craved it. Just the right songs would come on just when I need them. Thanks for the video, too. I always love your Louisiana/Cajun contributions!!
Thank you for sharing the video, Margaret. What a beautiful history this song has.
Margaret, as with Holly’s post and yours, I find comfort this morning. Your song says there is so much stress in this world. This is so true. Unexpected, minor issues in the home caused stress to creep in so your healing song and words are sources of hope. Thank you for bringing a smile to a morning of little upheavals. With patience all works out if we keep our eyes focused and hope in the Lord.
“Music is healing medicine…” I so agree! When I was in hospital getting my hip mended, the last night I had to have a couple of units of blood. The nurses scared me a little when they listed all the things I needed to be alert for during the infusion (like turning hot or cold, getting itchy etc.). So I plugged myself into my ipod and let music instead of fear fill my head. I have big collections of Andrew Peterson and Fernando Ortega and my night became beautiful as I drifted in and out of sleep to an uplifting soundtrack. (None of the bad signs & symptoms kicked in either.)
Thanks for sharing “Healin’ Song.” That kind of rootsy music always connects with me!