Yesterday

We had a like-minded friend (::read confessional, conservative LCMS member::), who has returned to the lower 48, attend worship yesterday! It was nice to re-connect.

Psalm 30 was the focus of our Bible study yesterday. Music can have such a powerful impact on people. I know it does me having grown-up with a mother who cherished playing the piano and sharing her musical gifts with others. She taught me to appreciate music and it's ability to convey emotions that words sometimes cannot.

Pastor had shared in his sermon about the power of music and how it brings up such emotions in us such as the music we select for funerals. Oftentimes that music stays with us long after the words from that day have left our mind. I concur.

So, when the last hymn of the day was "Beautiful Savior" (LSB 537) it was so touching for me as that was one of the songs I remember my mother playing. After she died in November 2000, I picked up a 4Him CD that was a fresh look at "old" hymns. "Beautiful Savior" helped me that December to focus on the fact that she was with the "Beautiful Savior" now.

Joyfully that song comes now from memory. I think learning hymns by heart is also a good thing to do besides just memorizing scripture because of the powerful impact it has on the heart and mind.