Choosing to Hear Goodness

The soundtrack of our lives has the potential to focus the soul.  Only we can choose the music that shapes the lens from which we see.  My heart has pondered this again and again.

In movies, the tone is set by the chords and rhythms of music.  Each scene takes on a new feeling often framed by the sounds in the background.  The same is true for the soul.

Scientists widely agree on the power of music and the connection between music and the brain.  The same can be said of the impact of music on one’s soul.  Our  moods and perspectives are highly influenced by the lyrics and tunes we choose to accompany our days.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with the oldest of my three musketeers.  We were leaving his elementary school’s field day when he began telling me about all of his favorite jams from school.  Oh sweet friends, these songs were really something.  We stopped at our local Sonic for summer drinks and my seven-year-old climbed from his booster in the back to the passenger seat.  Together, we made a playlist of his picks.  We plugged an auxiliary cord into my phone and played the funny, little songs through the minivan.  He climbed back to his booster seat, cherry sprite in hand and away we rolled.

Oh.  My.  Gracious.

How different the world looks through the lens of a first grader.  As his playlist filled the minivan with silly songs of pirates and something about a party that cats were attending, I saw the world in a whole new way.  It wasn’t necessarily bad.  It wasn’t my usual life soundtrack, either.  I enjoyed the bonding time with my little guy’s heart.  Later, I took a few Tylenol.  Thank you, Jesus for the doctors who created that stuff.  Much needed.

Sweet friends, lean in.  The music we choose to accompany our days will either encourage our hearts or bring us down.  It can change the perspective of what we see.  I choose to see joy.

Whether the drive is sunny or rainy, I want Jesus in the driver’s seat and His truths in the minivan.  Amen?  I want His words on my heart as I go.  I’ve experienced this again and again.

When the soundtrack of my life is glorifying to God, my actions are more patient.  I smile more at strangers.  I let others go first.  I respond in a more loving way.  I am slower to anger and quicker to laugh.  May it be said of us.  May we tune our hearts to sing His praise.  This just might begin with the radio dial or a wisely chosen playlist.  You get to choose what you see as a result of what you hear.  Hear His voice.

May we always choose goodness.  May the soundtrack of our lives be whatever is lovely and pure.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” ~Phillipians 4:8 NIV

From my heart to yours,

~Courtney