Gratitude Practice 2017 Day #7: Jamin’ for Jesus

For as long as I can remember, hymns and sacred music have helped me understand how God's love works in my life and have helped me realize that the Great Creator not only knows me...but loves me. I'm a big big fan of all kinds of churchy music and I'm grateful for how I feel when I hear it. Mormon. Methodist. Catholic. Baptist. Does not matter, I really like them all. Singing hymns alongside God fearing neighbors and total strangers is often the highlight of my worship service and my week. I am without question no soloist and totally prefer to praise Jesus while sitting quietly within a large congregation...and the more lively the better. Always grateful for the power a few simple phrases can have when sung by those of us who, riddled with imperfections, who show up week after week just hoping to become a tiny bit kinder, a tiny bit more patient, a tiny bit more generous, a tiny bit more honest and a tiny bit more real than the week before...this makes the world a tiny bit better. I'm grateful for the sacred greatest hits that fortify my faith in God and in the human experience.

A few years ago, I stumbled upon a few hymns arranged and performed by a group called The Lower Lights. I really like the way this rag tag group of 40 something working professionals jam. I appreciate their interpretation of the sacred standards and how they use music to wrestle through their individual faith crisis and spiritual hero's journey. These people...are my kind of people and I can hear how they are figuring out discipleship within each musical variation. This Little Light of Mine...Yes, please. Count Your Blessings...let's do it! For the Beauty of the Earth...you betcha! Nearer My God to Thee... Always! Be Thou My Vision...Amen! Plus, I think everything's better with a little more banjo and an occasional tambourine peppered in.