Forgive me if I seem too proud, but I must confess that I know of no other vocalist who can move my senses more than my wife, Jennifer.  It is impossible to put into words how her operatic voice combines with her compelling spirit to produce a form of communication that opens my heart to a passion that has never been evoked by anyone else.  I cannot imagine that the lead angel in Heaven’s choir would possibly sing more sweetly.

Of the songs in her solo repertoire, by far my favorite is one entitled “Hymns.”  Set to a deeply contemplative melody, the lyrics depict a wayward soul who has happened upon a church choir singing songs that cause her to reflect on how she had been touched in years past by music that aroused a gladness which now escapes her.  Feeling prompted to return to the comfort of God’s goodness, the wanderer cries out:  “Composer of my soul, show me all you show to them; but hymn Writer, hymn Singer, let me know their eloquence, let me share their offering.  Put the notes in my heart and the lyrics on my lips and let the essence of my life be a song that others would want to sing.”

Prior to the most recent time Jennifer sang this song publicly, as she rehearsed in our living room, tears flowed when she came to the chorus’ close.  Upon asking her to tell me about her emotions, she said simply, “I believe so deeply in these lyrics; I want them to reflect what I truly believe.” I could only nod my head in agreement as I too wished the same.

Since then, I have pondered those challenging words and have wondered what they might mean if I put them into action:  “Let the essence of my life be a song that others would want to sing.”  What is it about a song that can appeal to those who hear it, and how might that appeal be integrated into one’s life?  Let’s examine a few key ideas:

A song requires many notes to make it most appealing.  No musician can make music by fixating only upon Middle C.  Rather, the song is a unique blend of many singular notes strung together in a flowing and creative manner.  High notes and low notes sung with varying degrees of volume and emphasis cause the musician to connect on multiple levels with the listener.  Likewise, in life, it is best for individuals to be well rounded, conversant with numerous subjects and people and interests and experiences.  Celebrating diversity causes us to grow beyond the single mindedness that renders some incapable of dealing with anything that might take them out of their dreary monotony.

A song requires balance and harmony.  The many notes which comprise a song are not at all effective if not synchronized with one another.  Rather than being consistently discordant, the song is best presented when the vocalist knows how one note fits with the others.  An effective life is likewise lived in harmony with those in the surrounding milieu.  Making relations fit is a high priority.

A song touches people at the heart level.  While a moving song certainly has cogent ideas to convey, it is the emotional pitch that makes it most powerful.  A song can provoke listeners to laugh, to weep, to exult, to reminisce, to love, to feel peace.  Likewise, persons who touch others in such a manner have succeeded in transcending a merely intellectual or “correct” way of life.  They have determined to connect at the place of deepest emotion with those nearest.

A song can minister to those in need.  Recall moments of sadness or need or pain, then consider how soothingly a song can calm the soul in ways mere words cannot.  At a funeral, for instance, a song can remind the bereaved of the good things that were central to the loved one who has passed on.  Or, remember how in the aftermath of 9/11/01 Americans found great courage in songs that stirred patriotism and hope.  In a similar way, a successful life is one that willingly seeks to comfort those who experience weakness and imperfection and loss.

Above all, a song penetrates the spiritual side of humans.  No one can see emotions or passions or dreams. Yet a song is not a song if it does not arouse the things that can only be known as spiritual.  Similarly, a most effective life is one that is consistently aware that there is a spiritual longing in each soul that needs feeding.  Persons with an expansive spiritual life can be influential indeed because they are connected with the very One who directs us and provides meaning to all life.

“May the essence of my life be a song that others would want to sing.”  Jennifer was brought to tears at the possibility of making this so.  I too desire that when others see my life, they would want to join with me in the pleasure of communicating the heart of the Master Composer.

Dr. Les Carter