CONTENTS

• JUST VISITING
• FEATURE ARTICLE:
  The Family That Sings Together

  by Norman Bales

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  Just Visiting

  Richard Byrd wrote, "Singing is such an excellent thing, that I wish all people would sing." Singing naturally accompanies great blessings. When the children of Israel crossed over the Red Sea, they sang a sweet song of deliverance (Exodus 15). Who could ever forget that Paul and Silas sang praises at midnight in the darkness of the Philippians jail? (Acts 16). Singing is a gift from God. We often fail to take advantage of this enormous blessing. Today, we'd like to ask you to think about the way singing together has the power to enrich our families.

  Norman

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  THE FAMILY THAT SINGS TOGETHER

  
  by Norman Bales

  Singing has been a part of my family life as long as I can remember. In my early childhood, we had an old hymnbook with the cover torn off. My mother frequently flipped through those pages and sang the hymns to me. My father was not famous for his musical ability. In fact he sang so poorly he refused to sing in church - He didn't want to throw anybody else off. Nevertheless, he frequently sang as he went about his work.

  Some our earliest experiences with our children involved songs like "This Little Piggy Went to Market." My daughter and I have a special fondness for "Scarlet Ribbons" because I used to sing that to her when I rocked her to sleep.

  During the years of their raising, we usually sang while we rode in the car together on our way to the church service. We started with "Jesus Loves the Little Children," progressed to camp songs, Southern gospel, and the great traditional hymns of the church. They were grown by the time contemporary Christian music became the rage. Sadly, our singing stopped when we bought a car that came equipped with a tape deck. We let better singers do our singing for us. Then we got a second car, and didn't even ride to church together. The "singing-in-the-car" tradition was gone forever.

  Recently it occurred to me that we don't sing much anymore. I've got an old guitar that I strum on sometimes. I don't think it has been out of the case more than once in the last six months. I used to sing while I was doing manual labor. When I'm in the car I often listen to talk radio, which doesn't do much to give encouragement. Now I've got an MP 3 player and I stick those ear buds in my ears, and let someone else entertain me while I'm working in the yard. No more singing while I work.

  I'd like to see a revival of family singing. You may never market family singing CD's but you do have the prospect of building closer family bonds. Family singing provides an opportunity for meaningful shared experience. It creates good memories. In my mind, I can still hear my mother singing, "O Zion, Zion. I long thy gates to see…." Singing gives encouragement. Burdens seem lighter when there's a song on your lips. I've been thinking about how much I'm missing by leaving the guitar in the case. I generally sing for my own "amazement." It really is amazement because I'm amazed at how much better I feel about things in my life after I've done it.

  In Ephesians 5:19, Paul wrote, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts." I generally hear that verse discussed in the context of church life. But might not it also provide encouragement to take advantage of this opportunity to enrich our families. I love what Ella Fitzgerald said, "The only thing better than singing is more singing." You don't have to be a gifted vocalist to sing. I'm convinced that people who sing, enjoy life more, and families who sing have a leg up on trying to maintain family harmony, in a world where confusion runs amok. We deprive ourselves of some wonderful enjoyment when we shut down singing.

  I'll date myself when I refer to an old tune that was included in the repertoire of Frank Sinatra and Perry Como, among others.

  I've got my trouble and woe,
  But sure as I know the Jordan will roll.
  We'll get along as long as the song
  Is strong in my soul.

  * * * * * If you have questions about marriage and family relationships, you can " ASK THE COUNSELOR" Address your questions to Mikal Frazier. Her address is mikalmft@bellsouth.net

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  Central Church of Christ
  1500 First Avenue NW
  Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
  (319) 362-1540

  E-mail:
  Norman Bales: Norman's e-mail address: nlbales@allaboutfamilies.org
  Ann Bales: ann@allaboutfamilies.org
  Mikal Frazier: mikal@allaboutfamilies.org
  "Jim Bales"jbales@prcoc.org
  Web:allaboutfamilies.org
  allaboutfamilies.org/sh
  

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