A Warm Embrace for the Soul

As you read this, I shall be across the water.

Sadly, not distant exotic climes but happily, to the beautiful Isle of Wight. Hopefully, we’re visiting my furry friends at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, which my lovely husband promised from the first mention of this trip! He’s a good husband, isn’t he?

I’d love to say that we’ll have four days to enjoy the donkeys, however, that is not the full reason for our trip (though it would be a fabulously good one, right?).

You may (or maybe you don’t) know that I love to sing. For the past couple of years or so, I have been a member of Winchester A Cappella. We’re a happy chorus of women who sing a diverse repertoire of music, unaccompanied, under the amazing leadership of an incredible Musical Director. From the minute I set foot in the rehearsal room, I loved it! Musically, it challenges me and socially, it brings me joy.

Anyhow, I digress, ever so slightly…

Winchester A Cappella are singing at Ventnor Fringe this weekend, which is really rather exciting and the reason for the visit! We often sing at local events and venues (around Winchester) but this is a first for us. So we are hoping it will be a dry couple of days so there will be good audiences for us to entertain!

Much as I thoroughly enjoy singing and performing with WAC, my singing is not limited to a physical audience. My most listened to music on my streaming service are my favourite worship tracks. Whether I am in my little work room, at the gym, walking to work, they are generally my go-to tunes. It draws me close to God and helps me to prioritise Him, acknowledge who He is and nurture my relationship with Him.

My loving heavenly Father is my audience and I do not actually need to sing out to him physically for it to be worship (for which my fellow gym users would be most appreciative, I am quite certain!). My worship reaches Him anyhow because it comes from the depths of my heart and connects me with my Creator. However, perhaps I should be bolder and sing aloud more often. According to the Message translation, Ephesians 5 (v19-20) says:

Sing songs from your heart to Christ.

Sing praises over everything,

any excuse for a song to God the Father

in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ.

After reading this recently, maybe my neighbourhood will soon be hearing me singing along to my playlist as I walk to work.

Any excuse, eh?!

Watch out gym buddies, maybe I’ll go beyond just mouthing the words as I pedal or row!!

Google led me to the following:

“Singing is like a warm embrace for the soul. In every note we sing, we tell a story. Singing is the language of the heart. Dance like no one is watching, sing like no one is listening. Singing is the key that unlocks the music within. Singing is a form of meditation that allows the soul to soar.”

Let me know your thoughts…

---

Remember the little bird necklace I was working on?

Well, it’s all fired and finished and ready to fly!

I love the before and after transformation! But usually mixed with a bit of trepidation - will the stone stay where it’s meant to be? Will all the components stay together? Will I discover any cracks or flaws?

Thankfully, nothing too disappointing happened with this one and after a good polish, this is the result…

It’s available in my Etsy shop, or do let me know if you’re interested in giving him a home!