The Sweetest Sound.

~Erin Blair

Today the music industry has permeated almost every aspect of our lives. You just look at the school scene and you see teenagers, and even young children, with ear buds in listening to their iPod or MP3 player. Some restaurants, stores and massage therapy rooms all have music playing to put you in a certain mood or mindset. It’s a simple concept because who of us hasn’t listened to the soothing sound of nature and become relaxed or listened to classical music in a nice restaurant and not felt more special? Sounds are all around us and affect us in numerous ways.

Recently during our song service during Sunday morning worship, I heard the sweetest sound that I have ever heard. The sound was coming from a few rows back where a young boy 7 years old was singing the songs alongside his father, mother and 2 year old little sister. Musically speaking, he was not singing very well; he was off-key, off-beat and singing maybe too loudly. But despite him being off-pitch, I couldn’t help but be uplifted as my heart melted at hearing this young boy sing songs about “how I long for the Paradise valley, where the beauty of heaven I’ll see” and “I need Thee every hour”. He couldn’t even read all the words, but he did have them memorized from hearing and singing them so often as he sat with his parents or with his grandfather on the front row as he lead singing. I can’t help but praise his parents for teaching him the importance of singing songs of praise to our Heavenly Father and participating in worship services. 

Even at such a tender, young age this boy knew that he must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). And by knowing such, he knew that singing praises with a sincere heart was essential (1 Corinthians 14:15). He knew that singing to God was a joyful act and he should be happy. After all, the Psalmist wrote, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). 

When you ask someone what their favorite sound is they might give you a title of a song, an animal noise, running water, or perhaps a loved one’s voice. But as I sat there listening to this young boy singing songs of worship and praise to his Father, I couldn’t help a tear form in my eye as I found the sweetest sound: a child expressing, vocally, devotion to the Lord. Blessed be parents who raise such children!  

Erin resides in Ben Wheeler Tx with her husband. Erin has been involved with preparing and organizing the work of the church such as teaching all ages of Bibles classes, helped prepare and organize Ladies Days, Prom Alternatives, Youth Rallies and VBS.  She is currently the senior paralegal for a law firm. She and her husband also spend their time enjoying their three very large, but very sweet dogs.