He Put a Song in Her Heart

Summer is a glorious time in the life of a child. Pencils are traded for bubble wands, and schedules are traded for a “Can we go to the park today?” attitude. 

This particular summer was different. We returned from my dad’s Neuro-oncology visit in Dallas a few weeks before summer break began. Results from his MRI did not reveal good news. The tumor was growing rapidly. We knew this would likely be the last summer we’d have to treasure with him. 

Moments begged to be savored and tucked away in the memory bank of our minds to be relived like movie reels.

Summer break came, and my daughter and I headed to my parents’ house. To my daughter’s excitement, my mom had bought her a bubblegum pink Melissa and Doug waitress outfit complete with serving tray and menu. 

Next thing we knew, we were at Selah’s Diner. That’s the name she gave her waitress self. She dashed around taking our orders. Would we like the special? Something for dessert?

At supper that evening, she wanted to continue her job in reality. She helped fill glasses and wanted to be sure everyone had just what they needed throughout the meal. 

When the dishes were nestled in the sink, she brushed a few wispy strands of her golden red hair that had escaped her ponytail away from her face and called us to worship in song around the dining room table. 

Sweet praise to the Father filled the dining room as she sang her own version of “Praise Him, All Ye Little Children”:

Thank Him, thank Him,
All ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
Thank Him, thank Him,
All ye little children,
God is love, God is love.

Serve Him, serve Him,
All ye little children,
God is love, God is love,
Serve Him, serve Him, 
All ye little children,
God is love, God is love. 

Crown Him, crown Him, 
All ye little children, 
God is love, God is love, 
Crown Him, crown Him,
All ye little children, 
God is love, God is love. 

He put a song in her heart.  
 
Thank Him
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 (ESV)

Serve Him 
“Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” Psalm 100:2 (ESV)

Crown Him 
“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm![a]” Psalm 46:6-7 (ESV)

Sometimes, we just need a song in our hearts. 

It just might be exactly what you need.