Music touches the heart in a way all its own. It takes you down memory lane, strikes a forgotten emotion, creates a connection and has been known to drive me out of my chair to dance. How about you?
What does music have to do with homesteading?
Everything to my way of thinking. A local gathering with folks to sing and enjoy an evening was often the only entertainment early homesteaders had to enjoy. There was no TV’s, movies, or even electricity. No cell phones, or i pads and laptops distracting from what happened right there in real life.
I grew up hearing my Mom sing me to sleep with old family favorites and gospel songs.
My Dad had recorded her and her sister singing on his reel to reel. Again, old family favorites, gospel songs and songs my mother had written. My Mom, given a gift to sing with an ear to hear pretty melodies, sings only what lifts up the Lord these days.
My Mom is one of 3 sisters pictured here.
They were locally known in their teenage years.
In her grief with the passing of her sister, she stepped away from singing in public. But recently she decided to sing again. I know what all I have on my plate, and yet, what a great way to spend time with my mom. So, I said yes to singing at a local jam once again.
That meant an afternoon spent practicing and an evening gone. Oh, I tried not to think of the work I could get done in those hours. I like to get work done. But truly, is completing tasks beats that matter?
We started singing together close to 10 years ago, Sheila Mullet, my mother and I.
A year or two later, as we spent time practicing for a local Holy Walk, we decided Christmas songs were the best fit and easiest (for me) to sing.
From that a Christmas album Once in A Manger, emerged in 2013. This song Once in A Manger alone held special memories and a warm spot in my heart for all the Christmas’s past hearing my aunts and uncles sing it. Three of those voices passed on and other aging, what is left remains in my memory these days. May I say, “beats that matter”?
Back to this past week. I did not feel the best this week, but the Lord has shown me how He will show up despite how I feel and use our singing to touch others.
I decided not worry about how I felt, but rather trusted He would give me the strength. That alone helped my mind to focus on enjoying my evening.
A variety of talent graced the local jam last night and several delicious dishes tastily satisfied my palette. As we finished up our 5th song, I looked over at my Mom and smiled. #beatsthatmatter
I will keep my words short and share with you the beats that mattered to me this week. My husband kindly took the video I share with you below.
I wish for each reader special beats that matter in their life. It may or may not pertain to music. But moments that touch hearts, encourage, uplift, and show love to those surrounding you.
Don’t forget to use the hash tag #beatsthatmatter on pictures and posts. I will be watching for them to share on IG stories and other social media platforms.
