“Music is the shorthand of emotion.” ― Leo Tolstoy

We were so much in need of rain. It has already been blistering hot in our area. Everyone was clamoring for some relief. Five inches later, many are saying enough is enough. In these parts, once it quits, it might suffice two or three days before we have to start watering again. That is if you like having some green green grass of home in your yard. We do. Or, more precisely, she does. But, it does look nice and that's always a plus. I'm glad you showed up today, on this Tuesday, July 11, 2017, where the one-way conflab is just getting started. It is quite funny when you think about it. You hear comparisons to the Sahara and within 24 hours people start joking about building an ark. I think that somehow speaks to how life actually plays itself out in reality. And, given the fact that some so-called environmental expert has predicted that temperatures will rise to 200 degrees Fahrenheit because of the Trump administration, well, I suppose the rain and clouds should be a respite from these looming dire consequences. I've never doubted the ability of fallen humanity to destroy the great things God has given to us, however, some of these 'the sky is falling' wackos make it hard to even have a real discussion. Meanwhile, we are thankful for the rain, but we do have the sprinkler ready just in case.

The other day at dad's home-going service there were lots of memories that flooded my soul. When the wife and our niece got up to sing I remembered our baby sister, Kayla. Our niece is the eldest of three girls born to our Kayla and their dad Robert. Kayla died in 1978 after an 18 month battle with acute leukemia. She was 27. Kayla, as a teen, used to ride with the wife and me. She always wanted to sing with us as we drove down the road. She loved hearing harmony. She would have been so proud of hearing her daughter harmonize using her beautiful voice at dad's service. When we sang as we drove, her favorite song was a Dottie Rambo composition entitled "In the Valley He Restoreth my Soul." It's a great lead and alto harmony arrangement. Here are the lyrics she loved. When we sang this song she had no idea that within a few years she would experience the full meaning they portray.

Verse

When I'm low in spirit I cry Lord lift me up
I want to go higher with Thee
But the Lord Knows I can't live on a mountain
so He picked out a valley for me

Chorus

He leads me beside still waters
somewhere in the valley below
He draws me aside
to be tested and tried
but in the valley He restoreth my soul

Verse

It's dark as a dungeon
and the sun seldom shines
And I question Lord why must this be
Then He tells me there's strength in my sorrow
and there's victory in trials for me

Chorus

He leads me beside still waters
somewhere in the valley below
He draws me aside
to be tested and tried but
in the valley He restoreth my soul

Tag:

Yes in the valley, In the valley, He restoreth my soul.

You notice what? My life seems to include lots of musical connections? That would be very true. Good observation there. Music does have a way of adding a bookmark to a memory. When I think about someone close to me it typically doesn't take long to remember some of their favorite songs. I find the song, cue it up and play it, and I can see in my mind's eye them enjoying it. Paw Paw Mac had a particular way of swaying ever so slightly when we would sing his song, the Ira Stanphill classic, "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow." He didn't move much. We were straitlaced Baptists, after all. He would also lose himself in the message and his book would go up and down and side to side. Just a little. He was not a singer but the message of hope embodied in the lyrics would do something to him, and towards the end of his life, it typically would bring tears rolling down those rough sun-beaten cheeks of his. This is how it works. When I sing or hear that song I relive him doing just those things. My oh my, people who don't have precious memories like that, well, I feel bad for them. That's pretty amazing how music can flood our soul with memories. Yep. It is. It really is. Take care out there in blogger land or in whatever terrain, wet or dry, you happen to find yourself in. May God bless us all is my prayer. Amen. .....More later.