Not just a beautiful sound....

Music has always been an important part of my life.  From the time I started first grade and my little fingers were learning their way around a piano keyboard to the time I was in undergrad minoring in music.  With that said: I'm no American Idol.  I know my limitations as a musician and I know that in comparison to the incredible talent that is out in the world, I don't even begin to compare.  But I do enjoy harmonizing on a Sunday morning or on the very rare occasion, sitting down at the piano to play a classical piece that I learned too many years ago; the piano book pages are beginning to turn yellow if you must know.

It's difficult for me to put to words what impact music has on me.  It takes me to a different place.  When I hear a beautifully written song I get lost.  Lost in the rise and fall of the notes, the richness of the musician's tone, the entrance of the bass or the percussion...the instance when the instruments drop out all together and the band or congregation's voices fill the room with the power of their God given talents.  It's a guaranteed good piece of music when I have goose bumps on my arms and tears well in my eyes.  However, it's not just the music.  It's also the words.  When you combine poetry with notes....well, it just doesn't get any better than that. 

Worship time at church is my favorite part of my Sunday.  We have a great band at church and some awesome singers.  So when it all comes together with a beautifully written worship song....I'm at one with  God.  I feel Him in the room and I hear Him speaking to me. 

When I'm in my car and Adele's Rolling in the Deep comes on, I turn up the bass and volume and I'm rockin it.  When Mumford and Sons Little Lion Man comes on, I get inspired.  If I'm having a rough day and a favorite song comes on the radio, I am uplifted and now have a smile on my face.  Just like that.  When I went to see Les Miserables for the third time a month ago, I was once again portaled into the world of Jean Valjean where I laughed, cried and sat in awe at the incredible talent that I was fortunate enough to get to see.

When a talented young artisit makes a debut on American Idol and brings down the house with their version of a song that has been around for ages, it moves me.  Call it cheesy, call me sappy, laugh at me....I don't care.

Music is not just a beautiful sound..........