I sing because I'm happy!

Last night I ended my blog post asking Jesus to teach me to sing.  For whatever reason, that phrase has been dancing with me all day long.  Why?  I have music in my background.  I've been singing (in church) for as long as I can remember.  Not that I'm all that good, but I can carry a decent tune.  So why was I stuck on the idea of Jesus teaching me to sing.  

Sometimes I'm a research nerd.  I give Tim grief for OVER researching things.  He kills me sometimes.  Me?  I like to delve into the meanings of words.  I love the depth and the richness that it adds to things.  I think that is why I like my new amplified Bible that I recently purchased.  I LOVE the depth.  

So, I came home and I googled: the benefits of singing.  There had to be benefits....because the silly thrush sparrow sings her most beautiful songs in raging storms.....and when she's hurt and wounded.  Crazy bird!  Is it even possible to be able to sing in the midst of a raging storm?? Wouldn't the wind steal the song right out of her mouth??  When I'm in the midst of an upheaval, or I'm hurting, I like to find a warm blanket, snuggle under and pretend that the rest of the world doesn't exist.  I most certainly do not set out to sing a delightful melody! 

So here I am.  Researching the benefits of singing.  

Here are some of my favorite benefits I found: 

• Improves sleep (I've been sleeping horribly....maybe I better do a few songs tonight)
• Relaxes overall muscle tension (again...I've been a knot...maybe I better.....)
• Opens up sinuses (A new cold remedy???)  
• Increases self-esteem and confidence (I've clearly not been singing enough)
• Enhances mood (Really????)
• Reduces anger, depression, and anxiety (ok.  ok.  I'm getting the hint!)
• Reduces stress
• And the crown jewel: Alleviates loneliness and acts as a social lubricant.  (hahahaha....social lubricant?????  What???)

If any of these reasons are even remotely true, I need to be stepping up my singing game.  

But I wasn't done there.  Of course I had to google what scripture had to say about singing.  I found an article titled, Seven Biblical Reasons Why Singing Matters by Tom Olson.  He had some interesting points, but the one that stuck out to me the most was "When you sing, you walk a God-designed pathway to joy."  Hmmmm.....here's a smattering of the verses he used.  I kind of like them.

But let all who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice, Let them ever sing for joy; Because You cover and shelter them....Psalms 5:11

But as for me, I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; Yes, I will sing joyfully of your lovingkindness in the morning; for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress.  Psalm 59:16

For You have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings (where I am always protected) I will sing for joy.  Psalm 63:7

The author summed things up with this: "If you struggle for joy....sing! If you are joyful...sing! In God's perfect design and understanding of the human condition, he has bound joy and singing together for his people.  When you sing, you glorify God."

Please, Jesus, teach me to sing.