A Joyful Noise

My car radio is usually tuned to one of two stations - Air1 (91.9 on your radio dial) or K-Love. I prefer Air1, but will switch it over to K-Love if I'm not thrilled about the song on Air1.

Sometimes I will sing along to the radio, but I really like it when my son sings along to a song. When he sings along, I realize that he IS hearing the good lyrics of the songs, and that pleases me greatly.

First, let me just say that I love my son very much. Secondly, let me say that he does not necessarily stay on key when he sings. It doesn't matter that he sings off key. I absolutely love to hear him sing. At least part of it is that I know he is internalizing what he is hearing and is letting it out, participating in the music.

The Bible says we are to make a joyful noise. So often I look around at church and notice that people are just standing there during the time for worship through music. I hope they are involved in the music and that their souls are being fed. Are they not singing, though, because they feel their voices are not good enough to share with others?

If I feel such joy when I hear my son sing, imagine the joy God feels when He hears His children sing. Even if they don't sing well or on key.

Ready, Set, Speak!

I like to think that I am a fairly open person, transparent if you will. But I'm not really. I am actually superficial. There is a lot going on inside me that only God and I know about. I need to work on sharing myself with others.

My husband often complains that I don't talk. My response usually is that I don't have anything to talk about. WRONG! What I should say is that I don't want to share my deepest thoughts with him, that I want to (as the British would say) keep myself to myself.

Yesterday when I was working at the library I happened to notice a young man (probably late teens or early twenties, very sweet looking) who was attending a magic program being presented. I'm pretty sure he has some kind of developmental disability. When I saw him, my heart pretty much just broke. Why? Because, but for the grace and kindness of a very loving Heavenly Father, that could have been my son sitting there.

When my son was about four years old, he was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified. Pervasive Developmental Disorder is like a big umbrella under which are other diagnoses such as Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. My son had some autistic behaviors, but evidently not enough to make that diagnosis. He has received assistance through the school system and since that diagnosis has made incredible progress both academically and behaviorally. Incidentally, he no longer has some of those behaviors he exhibited as a child.

I have not yet shared the incident at the library with my husband. It really was not until this morning as I was praying that I processed my thoughts and feelings about it. I was convicted, though, about how little I share with my husband (and others) about what is really going on inside my heart and mind. I doubt it will be easy, but I must make more of an effort to go beyond the surface in my relationships.

On Exhibit

I like history and I like to go to museums and places like that. I do not feel the need to read every word of every display sign, though, so I don't think I've reached museum nerd level yet.

We have discovered the Kansas City branch of the United States Archives. It is located next to Union Station and if you are not paying attention, you can drive right past the entrance and miss it. I recommend finding it, though.

The first time we went was for the Deadly Medicine exhibit, which I have already written about. In June we went to see Mugged, a small exhibit on the history of Leavenworth Penitentiary and some of the prisoners there. Coming up is an exhibit featuring items loaned by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Admission and parking are free. There is a bookstore, which for me is always a bonus. The only thing missing is a squashed penny machine. Maybe I'll suggest it next time we go.