Friday, September 10, 2010

Music and Yellow Monkeys

   When the music starts, he comes alive.  His blue eyes twinkle.  He kicks his legs and waves his arms.  He smiles and squeals and wiggles.  He is a picture of joy and a lesson in delight.

    His taste in music is not yet discerning.  A memory chip playing a tinny melody from his interactive toys or his mama leading the worship team in praise or his daddy making up a silly song are all catalysts for his wholehearted, whole body response.

    Music motivates Benjamin and engages his whole being.  Put music and his yellow monkey together, and happiness is guaranteed.  He sits on the floor, arm with monkey out to the side, watching it twist and turn as he holds it by its tiny, floppy arm and pivots his wrist.  When the music stops, he uses the monkey to slam down on the buttons, keyboard, and levers of his LeapFrog music table.

    He makes his own music as well, trying out the range of his voice and all the wonderful sounds he can make, everything from squeals to laughter to snorts and roars and blowing bubbles.

    Benjamin’s delight in music is pure praise.  He rocks to the love of his Heavenly Father.  He shouts his joyful noises to the Lord.  In him I see what it is to abandon oneself to Joy.

    I want to worship so wholeheartedly, too, but probably without the yellow monkey.

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