Sing, Sing, Sing! {31 Days: Day 3}

This summer my kids went to a preschool VBS while I taught at a Performing Arts Camp. And because I had to listen to the songs for my 3 classes eleventybillion times AND had to stay for the rehearsals, my kids learned all the songs, too. Plus, since it was the “big kids” class, my kids were enthralled by all of it.

Even though Peforming Arts Camp has been done for months, they still ask to listen to the CD. And as they do the dishes, play with puzzles or ride in the car, the words to those songs find their way out of my kids’ hearts and mouths. My favorite song from the musical and the song that most often pops out of my kids is one written by my friend Yancy (and originally recorded by Avalon) called, I Don’t Want To Go.

They chorus says, “I don’t want to go somewhere if I know that you’re not there. ‘Cause I know that me without you is a lie. I don’t want to walk that road, be a million miles from home. My heart needs to be where you are.”

Read those lyrics again and imagine your daughter singing that to Jesus with all her heart. Isn’t that what we’re trying to do? Lead our children to declare that for themselves?

This is why I choose to play Christian music for my kids. This is why we only listen to worshipful, Word-filled songs at our house. And even though we do listen to a lot of Sarah Groves, Nichole Nordeman and David Crowder, we mostly listen to kids’ music. Yeah, kids’ music can get kinda old. Yeah, sometimes I wish we didn’t listen to the same 15 albums over and over again. But the return is so worth me being out of the loop of modern music!

There’s something about music that gets inside your head and in your blood. And if that music is coupled with God’s Word? With worship to Him? It can also get into your heart and spirit. It can also change you and comfort you and strengthen you.

When my daughter was born, I did like all parents do–and sang to her. And not the beautiful lullabies you think of. Nope, it was all the crazy songs I learned as a kid. All the silly camp songs, the funny nursery rhyme songs and yes, all the Christian songs I learned at church. It wasn’t any of the new CDs my husband and I liked or the music from concerts we had been to when were dating. It was the songs I learned as a child.

I want the same thing for my own children. When they are alone, need to stand up for what’s right, being tempted or need comfort, I believe the songs they learned will come to mind. I believe God’s Holy Spirit will remind them of those words and those songs to be a salve to their spirit.

I want my son to walk through his college campus and sing, “I don’t want to go somewhere if you’re not there…I don’t want to walk that road, be a million miles from home.”

I want my daughter to sing, “Make me a servant, humble and meek. Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.” (-Psalty) on the playground at school.

I want my son to sing, “Wherever I go, whatever I do, God’s with me!” (-I Count On You) when he’s away from home for the first time.

I want my children to sing, “I can do all things, all things, all things. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” (-Donut Man) when they are feeling insecure.

I want them to sing, “Take heart! I have overcome the world!” (-Power of Encouragement) when they are overwhelmed or stressed.

So, today? Sing. Sing. Sing! Sing with your children. Find music that will lift up Jesus, that will plant God’s Word in their hearts and encourage them in their walk with the Lord.

I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:2

Our favorite Bible-based CDs:
Yancy {rockin’ cd’s for elementary and preschool! And this prayer CD!}
Seeds Family Worship {scripture put to music the whole family will enjoy!}
Amber Sky Records {subscription based site with music written for kids’ church}
Go Fish {3 dads doing fun and crazy semi-a cappella music}
The Rizers {high energy scripture}
Hillsong Kids {live worship concert cd’s for kids}
Donut Man {Bible story songs, scripture songs & more fun preschool music}
Psalty {stories and songs!}
Colin Buchanan {aussie praise}

Do you sing with your kids?

photo source: Michal Marcol