Songs, Hymns Of Memory:.What I Remember!
Proverbs 10
KJV
7+ The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
Memories of good people, events, occasions and times flash through our minds very often but we are too busy to pause and reflect on them! I took time to reflect on one such memory here is how I felt.
I happened to visit a church a few weeks ago, and during the worship service, a few old familiar hymns were sung! These were sung continuously, and the impact and effect they had on me made me stop singing and stand still!
Why? Memories of the past began to rush through my mind I started seeing faces and moods of people who were with me when these songs were sung many years ago Unfortunately, though a few are alive the majority are no more. They’ve gone home!
I don’t know about you, but with me, songs in general ( spiritual or secular ) bring back memories whenever I hear them played or sung. They situate me precisely in time, place and the occasion! I often pause to relive and enjoy them. Something I highly recommend.
Such occasions made me feel young and it uplifts my spirit!
There is a Ghanaian version of Handel’s messiah which we called locally “ Hallelujah chorus” which was popularly sung in the 80s! When I hear it sung today (though a pale shadow of itself,) it brings back sweet memories of fellowship!
I feel the same when I hear some of the secular pop songs of the ‘60s and ‘70s they take me back to my youthful days.
The likes of Otis Redding,( I’ve Got Dreams!) Sam Cooke ( Chain Gang) Percy Sledge ( When A Man Loves A Woman) Wilson Pickett ( Midnight Hour) James Brown ( Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag) etc. not forgetting ABBA ( Super Trouper 80s)
Songs, hymns etc, be they spiritual or secular bring back memories I shared with friends I hope the same applies to you. They help revive and renew bonds of friendship long forgotten! I remember picking up my phone to call a friend after hearing an old song we both enjoyed in our youth!
So next time you hear a hymn or song let it remind you of the friendship, joy and happiness we shared sometime ago. The good times we shared, the love and admiration we had for each other before misunderstandings and foolishness “ parted us” Yes!
Let us do this as quickly as we can because our departure time is here! Soon our flight will be announced, how prepared are we?
I conclude with what Paul wrote;
Romans 8:35,37-39
NIV
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
[38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
[39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Let nothing separate us, remember the good old days and times we shared! The fun, the laughter, the journeys we took together, the rides, the food we shared as we ate together.
O! Memories! Let us relive them.
A thought to share