Monday chat with Layla.

Hello, it is me again. Your good ol' forgetful blogger friend Layla.

At last weeks ladies meeting after evening church, from across the room, Sister Duvall talked me into blogging again. Thanks for that. Maybe this is the motivation I need to pick my own personal blog back up...I have been slacking in that.

Family and Home is supposed to be the Monday topic. So, good luck to you readers, because I have a messy home and a crazy family....so I am not sure how enlightened you will be for this next month.

I am an advocate for music in the home. Every day I watch two babies and all day, as I go about my day, I either have "toddler tunes" or "Light Classical" playing. I find that music not only helps me with the kids, but it helps my piece of mind...well I say that, but I do admit the toddler tunes are for the babies, not me, I could do without hearing the rubber ducky song a million times a day...ha ha.
But with the music, when I have it on classical and Aaron and Alyssa are home, I find that they do not fight as much. They are more focused, and dare I say more attentive and thorough. I don't have to repeat my directions to them as much, and they are likely found reading, being creative with art, or wanting to do activities that require the use of their minds rather than the braincell sucking video games.
I would love to say they are learning Mozart, Chopin and all the other great composers, but their desire to work I think stems from their distaste for the music choice, but the soothing rhythms are what contribute to the peace in the home.
And with the babies, they get to hear educational songs that showcase ideas like abc's, nursery rhymes, etc.....

Now I am not saying that classical and toddler tunes are for everyone....but I do think that if we all incorporate a little more music into our children's lives, not only do they benefit from the words of the songs, melody, etc....but it could in fact help them in their walk with God.

I blogged here before about my favorite song/poem. Well that was one of many hymns I learned as a youth (among my favorite, Count your Many Blessings, How Great Thou Art) and that is one of many songs that come to mind when I am in situations that cause me to have to make critical choices for my spirit.

When I first came to Church with Jason, and alter call seemed crazy weird and albeit a bit uncomfortable for me, I used my favorite hymns to help me focus on Christ, rather than trying to figure you guys out. I would sit at my pew, not knowing or understanding worship, bent over trying to pray in different ways than I was used to, trying to put words into my mouth that even remotely sounded like praise, I didn't know how, so I would sing.
"When upon life's billows your tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost, count your many blessing name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."
So I sang that song out loud, then I would heed it's directions, and start to name all the blessings in my life, which led to me then thanking Christ for those blessing, which then led to me praising.
I learned to praise through music.
I learned to lift Christ up through music.
I am touched to the core by hearing other's testimonies through the lyrics they write.

Another example of how music has helped me,

When at ladies conference, before service one afternoon, the bookstore lady got up and showcased a cd that was for sale. AS. SOON. AS. I. HEARD. IT. I knew I had to have it. I couldn't stop thinking about it, when service was over, i went right over and bought it. I would listen to that song I heard in the preview over and over again. I got home, Jason loved the cd, and started playing it at church as the prelude music. And then that unforgettable night, at the Kennons farewell, they were testing the sound in the sanctuary, and they blasted my song. I had a plateful of food, and heard them testing the speakers....I asked them to restart the song, because it was already half way through, I put my full plate down, walked into the sanctuary and joined the other two people in there and started praying, and praising....next thing I know, I look up and there were a roomful of people in there praising... now I am not saying I was the reason that happened, I am just trying to show how my desire for music, and the Spirit, led me to buy the cd.....and now everyone hears that song and it brings the desire of that night back into our minds and hearts

And you never know when your child will be in a situation, and a song they learned in Sunday School (or during service, or choir) will pop into their minds and keep them from making a bad choice, or help them learn to do good. Play good music for you and your family and it will benefit them more than your eyes can see. That is a promise.

Enjoy!