The Music Around You

Today is a beautiful day in Colorado Springs, it is 61 degrees and sunny. The sky is blue and there are vibrant green buds throughout the trees. I felt well enough health wise, to sit in my backyard for a few hours. Lately I have been spending 2/3 of my time in my dark bedroom due to migraines. So, this was a wonderful treat.

I took a seat in the reclining chair with my book on my lap and my headphones in hand. Right before I put my headphones over my ears, I noticed the sound of birds tweeting in the trees. It was so cheerful. Soon I noticed the sound of a buzzing bee. I decided to stop myself from putting my music on and instead listen to the sound of spring around me. In this moment I realized how often I do this in life. I am focused on something- a dream, a goal, a hope, and I miss out on the beauty of the season I’m in. I miss out on the sounds that are around me.

The wind blew lightly, and I heard the flutter of a bird’s wings as it flew past me. Soon the notes of numerous birds speaking to each other in different tones, melodies, and patterns, grabbed my attention. I could hear a small bird land on a branch only 6 ft away from me. Then I spotted it. It was so cute and tiny!! I turned away to grab my phone so I could take a picture of it, but as soon as my camera was out the bird was gone. Again, I had missed out on the moment.

So that brings me back to the question, what in this season of life might I be missing because I’m focused on other things? As many of you know I am disabled, chronically ill, and live with my parents-who take care of me. I am looking at possible brain surgery (or surgeries) that may help my quality of life as well as some weekly IV treatments.

I dream of the day that I can make my own dinner, do my own dishes, go to the grocery store by myself, and help my parents out instead of having them help me. I hope to one day be able to work a job and have a house of my own. I’d love to one day travel. And if God opens the door, I’d like to get married and have children.

But sometimes I’m so busy trying to fight for my health and for the dreams that could come with that health; that I forget to appreciate what I have in this season. What beautiful sounds in my life can I listen to? What about when I’m in tears at night from pain, or frustration and I wake my mom up, and she so selflessly comes in and comforts me or gives me meds or prays with me?! What about when I have burning neuropathy and my dad offers to bring me cold packs so that I’m not in such discomfort when I try to fall asleep?!  What about my little 6-year-old nephew and little 4-year-old niece who are learning to hold my hand and help me walk because I’m visually impaired?! The encouragement of so many online commenting on my posts, the beautiful city I live in, and the cards I occasionally receive in the mail encouraging me to keep going. I am listening. And it is a beautiful orchestra when I tune in.

It’s interesting; some of the most difficult seasons of life are where I heard the most beautiful sounds, because that’s where I heard God’s Spirit speak to my spirit. That’s where He comforted me. That’s where I got to know His presence more. In my physical pain I ran to my Heavenly Father for help, and He was there. Sometimes He speaks to me from His Spirit sometimes through His people, but He speaks.

What are you focused on that is distracting you from the sounds all around you? What are those sounds? I hope and pray this article can encourage you to find the beauty in this season of life, whatever it is. And I pray that if this is one of the most difficult seasons of your life, that God would meet you in the storm, that you would hear His voice and feel His comfort.

“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.” Philippians 4:8