It was such a lovely day today! I was able to open the windows, let in light and lots of fresh air. The kids must have felt my good mood and, miracle of miracles, all fell asleep….AT THE SAME TIME! Yes, the capitals are not only appropriate for that statement, they are necessary. It was wonderful. I was able to sit in complete quiet, the breeze coming through the front windows and indulge my creative side for a few moments.

As I saw writing, I became aware of how my sense of hearing heightened as the stillness and quiet of the house lengthened. I could hear kids playing, dogs barking, the bustle of life just outside my door. I was drawn to the sound of a child playing and talking loudly.

As I listened, the talking turned, surprisingly, to song. It’s not uncommon for my kids to spontaneously burst out into song – we listen to so much music throughout the day. After naps we had a jam session – me on the guitar and John and Rosie taking turns playing harmonica and singing random nothings. At dinner tonight, John started singing “Human Again” from the Beauty and the Beast musical soundtrack. But our musical outbursts are usually confined to our house or car.

But I digress. This child was incredible. She was quite literally singing at the top of her lungs. It was as if she was the only person around and she had no shame or fear at being overheard. By now you may be trying to guess what song she was singing. Taylor Swift? Or perhaps Justin Bieber or Selena Gomez? Not a chance.

She was singing “One Thing Remains” by Passion, a Christian music group. She kept singing the same part over and over again, probably because it’s the chorus and it’s an easy musical line. “Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me.” Over and over again, she bellowed with more gusto than even the best opera singers. She had no audience, there was no performance. Over and over again, “your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me” (Song here).

We go to church, Sunday after Sunday, expecting to meet God. And often we do. How many of us expect to meet God on the street corner at 2:30pm on a Thursday afternoon? This little girl proclaimed the purest praise that I think I’ve ever heard. It was so inspiring and has stuck with me. What a profound statement of faith.

I will hold onto this memory. At moments of doubt, uncertainty, or fear, I hope that this young girl’s voice comes to mind. Her joyful, innocent praise should fill all of our hearts. It makes me think of Psalm 100:

A psalm of thanksgiving.

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;

serve the LORD with gladness;

come before him with joyful song.

^*Know that the LORD is God,

he made us, we belong to him,

we are his people, the flock he shepherds.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him, bless his name;

good indeed is the LORD,

His mercy endures forever,

his faithfulness lasts through every generation.