I have always been a musical person. It runs in my family, and in my denomination, Lutheran. People joke that one way you know that you are Lutheran, you can join in singing Happy Birthday in four part harmony.

Even if you are not Lutheran or musical, however, most people can appreciate that there is something special about music. It is much more than just words, or sounds. Putting together melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and lyrics creates something completely new, different, and powerful.

Today is my Mother’s Birthday, and all those who have heard her sing will never forget it. She has an incredibly beautiful soprano voice, always on pitch, with a wonderfully pure tone, perfectly balanced within each piece of music she sings. Everyone who knows her comments after church or after concerts about how her voice touches them. The beauty in her voice is shared by the beauty and love she has as a person, mother, wife, sister, grandmother, and friend. Happy Birthday Mom!

Paul writes about the significance of music in Ephesians 5:18-19, saying “Be filled with the Holy Spirit singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”

When we do this, we are living another expression heard occasionally around the Lutheran church, “One who sings, prays twice.”

Dear Lord, music is another one of those beautiful things that you created for our joy and your glory. Thank you for blessing my mother and for blessing all of us through her. Help us come to that state in our lives where we have your peace and joy and can create music for you in our hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.