Lessons in Joy From ‘Mom Maw Jane’ – Part 3

Eph 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Eph 5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Eph 5:17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Eph 5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Eph 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Eph 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Eph 5:21  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

These verses contain another secret pertaining to my mom’s joy.

She was always singing.

She had a beautiful voice, and she used it for God’s glory. She sang in the choir, she sang solos, and she sang in a ladies’ quartet. I remember the many hours she would practice with those ladies getting the harmony just right. She would take me along to the practices. I must admit, they were pretty boring for a second grader who had a strong kinship to ‘Dennis the Menace.’

I remember when one practice came to an abrupt halt. I have several cowlicks and, as a boy they, were not even remotely tame. The one in front brought the most harassment from others. Our small town only had three barbers, and when they saw me coming, they would do anything to avoid cutting my hair. I spent more than one embarrassing moment in the barber chair, and, at times, I would even be brought to tears.

So, on the day of this rehearsal, I found myself under the dining room table with a pair of scissors. The only problem, I failed to realize the box fan behind me. It was in the perfect position to blow the results of my handy work from beneath the table and right in front of the piano where the Calvary Baptist Ladies’ Quartet was fine-tuning next Sunday’s song.

Needless to say, the hair-flying event caused a bang on the piano, an inquisitive ‘What in the world?,’ followed by my mother’s soprano voice hitting an extremely high octave, ending with the words “Oh no” in a very low base note. (My mother’s range of voice was incredible, especially when she was upset.)

In a flash, I was no longer under the table, the scissors were gone, and people were still laughing at my hair. My plan was foiled and my mom went back to singing.

My mom sang when people were watching.

She sang when she was working.

She sang when there was no one around.

She sang when it rained.

She sang when the sun was shining.

She sang when she was filled with love and she was extremely happy.

She sang when her heart was broke.

But one thing is sure – her heart was always singing.

She sang when my dad died, she sang when her second husband died, and she sang when she, herself, was diagnosed with cancer.

Psa 77:6  I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

Sometimes she sang because she had joy. And other times, she sang to remind herself she had joy.

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