So often our days are defined by errands, lots if errands. Some errands are just that—a short trip to the post office, groceries, but some errands are more—for you and for those you’re with.

One of my favorite errands each week is picking up my three-year old grandson Austin from daycare. That was an earlier story about “pinched fingers.” Yikes!

Last week Austin and I were in the car together when he asked me to sing. I chuckled. I have a five-note range on a good day. On most days, less. But no one told Austin that I don’t sing. No one told him his father used to look at me in church and shake his head during the music portion of the worship service.

Ready to regale my grandson with a rousing rendition of the ABC song, I started in: A-B-C-D…

Austin interrupted, “No, Grandma, the other song…” Not sure what the other song was/is I started to make up nonsense melodies and verses.

Not impressed, Austin pointed to the car’s radio and asked that I make the music come out there. “Oh…”

I turned on rock-n-roll classics. Austin smiled. I smiled.

Never did I ever expect to be having a Led Zeppelin moment with a dear three-year old.

So often our days are filled with music—beautiful music, memorable music, silly songs and grand ones, songs on the radio, songs in church. Not only did music connect a grandmother and her grandson, but music connects all of us in special ways—individually and together.

At a time of political divisions, social isolation, and dark, dreary winter days, that connection is a gift. Christmas music will always connect me to Dad. His favorite hymn was “Silent Night.” Every year, my heart dedicates all four verses to him.

Not only can music connect us to our past, but music connects us to each other. You might be singing along to Led Zeppelin in your car while I’m singing with Austin in mine. You might be singing a praise hymn in Florida or Wilbur or Whidbey Island and I might be singing in Monroe. You might be part of a special concert. I might be the row behind you. And this year, we might all be watching the same YouTube videos.

Wherever we are, music brings us together. Words and melodies span church denominations. Music crosses borders and cultures. Music also connects us to generations of God’s people—past and present. King David’s life included music, beautiful music, music that calmed, music that celebrated the moment, music that probably anticipated the coming of our Savior. I love knowing that we all might be separated by thousands of years, but we can connect in the Key of D, two sharps, no flats, four beats to a measure, lots of quarter notes.

I love lots of quarter notes. That F sharp you just heard, you just played, you just sang, David heard it, too. He played and sang it, too. Notes that touched his heart might be the same notes touching yours. Isn’t that just a beautiful connection!

Earlier I mentioned political divisions, social isolation, and dark, dreary winter days. We are all part of difficult times. But when our hearts can share a moment, share a history, share hope in the future, we can experience a very special peace. You may not think of music when you think of peace. Austin and I did have the volume up for Led Zeppelin, because Led Zeppelin needs to be a little loud. But peace is not always about volume. Peace is not always about a quietness outside. God’s peace is the quiet inside, the quiet in our hearts, the quiet that came to us when God shared His loving kindness that was our saving grace.

Music can help us share a moment, share a history, share God’s hope and peace. Your favorite song?

Deanna Nowadnick is the author of Fruit of My Spirit and Signs in Life.

Deanna is also the host of “Morning WOLK with God” here at Fave Lifestyles.

about

Deanna Nowadnick

Before my father died, he reminded me that Mom had asked me to write a book. At the time the boys were in college, and the notion of writing was unfathomable. Writers write books. By the time my boys were adults, I’d run out of excuses. I was also at that age when I could pause and reflect.

Fruit of My Spirit: Reframing Life in God’s Grace was my first publishing endeavor. My second was Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels with God. Both are collections of stories that tell of God’s love and faithfulness. Both tell of His remarkable grace and mercy.

When not writing, I serve as the Client Service Coordinator for The Planner’s Edge, an investment advisory firm in Washington state. I’m active in my church, serving on the Leadership Team and gathering with a wonderful group of ladies to study and giggle over lattes and chocolate. On my desk is a rock with the words “Choose Joy!” etched in it. It’s my inspiration for each day. As an author, it is my hope that my own words might share that joy we find together as children of God.

With Him, it can be so.

In the third chapter of the New Testament book of Titus, Paul reminds us that God’s loving kindness was/is our saving grace. When we “walk the WOLK,” when we walk God’s words of loving kindness (WOLK), we get to shine God’s light, share His grace, His forgiveness, His love—in bigger moments, bigger conversations, in smaller moments and smaller conversations. And those most important moments and conversations start with the moments and conversations God has with us.

God’s loving kindness is for all of us. God’s saving grace renews us, restores us, re-energizes us, re-directs us throughout our day. But 2020 may have found you feeling less renewed, restored, and reenergized.

Last week my daughter-in-law sent a short video. Grandson Enzo was having a virtual preschool class. First, his teacher asked him to make a star, like the star on top of his Christmas tree. He jumped up, arms extended. Next she had him put his arms down to his side and form a stick. Open—star. Close—stick. He jumped up and down with each prompt.

I immediately called Manoela, “Manoela, Enzo’s doing great. I wondered how a three-year old might do with a virtual preschool class. I’m impressed!”

Before I could go on, Manoela cautioned. “Wait until you see the next video.”

A minute later, Manoela shared another short clip. This time Enzo’s teacher was sharing a little movement song. Enzo was on the couch, not moving. He was over it.

I’m with Enzo. I’m over it. This year I’ve jumped up in the shape of a star and shined brightly and other times when I’ve collapsed in a heap, unable to move. I’ve had moments that have gone rather well and others that haven’t. I’ve had unexpected tears, uncalled for impatience, and unattractive moments of self-centeredness. I’ve also been able to shine is ways I never could have imagined. And that’s thanks to God!

How has 2020 gone for you? Where has God helped you to shine? COVID has limited our ability to be the people we want to be. Yes, it’s for our safety and the safety of others, but I’m not someone who wants to be socially distant. I ran into a dear friend from church in a local parking lot. We were both out running errands. I didn’t know what to. Every part of me wanted to embrace her, share my joy at seeing her. Not knowing what to do, I did this strange dance routine where I stepped in, stepped back, stepped to my right. It was respectful of her personal space, but very awkward.

I’m also not someone who wants to live in fear. That said, I want to be smart. Every day I walk around a small lake here in Monroe. I mask up and keep to my side of the path. Occasionally other walkers will say hello, but most often not. It’s not who I am. I’m the woman who’s usually waving and sharing an overly enthusiastic “Hi!”

How are you at dealing with uncertainty? I’m not someone who deals well with uncertainty. God knows that about me. God also knows that when the song changes and I’m asked to follow in new and different ways, I can get overwhelmed. And when I’m separated and fearful, the overwhelms can happen quickly and often.

We’ve heard it said—a lot—that this is a new normal. So often I worry that I don’t got this. Ladies, I’ve never had this. God’s got this. God’s always had this.

Wanting to help before my moment of overwhelm, my husband, Kurt, the former football coach reminded me of the acronym: WIN. “What’s important now?” “What’s important next?” We don’t have to solve for it all—whatever “all” might be in our life. Instead we can ask God, “What’s important now? What’s important next?” “God, help me WIN.”

And then wait for God’s prompts. There will be moments when He prompts us to jump up, arms extended, in the shape of a star—in a quick outdoor coffee date, in a wink above the mask on that walking trail. There will be moments when He prompts us to jump back into the shape of a stick, arms down at our side. Moments of quiet, reflection, prayer.

Yes, there will be missteps. There will be days that don’t go well—when tears will come and impatience will reign. Times when we may find ourselves not moving, when we’re just over it. Enzo took a nap that day. God might have us take one, too.

Recently I saw a Facebook meme, “Whenever you feel overwhelmed, remember whose daughter you are and straighten your crown.” Ladies, we’re going to get through this. We have a God of loving kindness who insists on being with us in this remarkable journey, who insists on sharing His light with us, so we can share His light with others, especially when times are uncertain and challenging. He’s the prompt when we’re jumping into the shape of a star. He’s the prompt when we’re jumping into the shape of a stick.

COVID-19 may change what we can do and how we can do it, but COVID-19 will never change who we are and whose we are. We are daughters of the King! His light is on us. His light shines in, through, and around us!

Today I close praying words from the Old Testament book of Lamentations, this is from chapter 3, verses 22-23: Dearest Lord, Your loving kindnesses never cease. Your compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. Amen.

God’s loving kindnesses are shining on you, dear ladies. Straighten your crown and ask God what’s next.

Deanna Nowadnick is the author of Fruit of My Spirit and Signs in Life.

Deanna is also the host of “Morning WOLK with God” here at Fave Lifestyles.

about

Deanna Nowadnick

Before my father died, he reminded me that Mom had asked me to write a book. At the time the boys were in college, and the notion of writing was unfathomable. Writers write books. By the time my boys were adults, I’d run out of excuses. I was also at that age when I could pause and reflect.

Fruit of My Spirit: Reframing Life in God’s Grace was my first publishing endeavor. My second was Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels with God. Both are collections of stories that tell of God’s love and faithfulness. Both tell of His remarkable grace and mercy.

When not writing, I serve as the Client Service Coordinator for The Planner’s Edge, an investment advisory firm in Washington state. I’m active in my church, serving on the Leadership Team and gathering with a wonderful group of ladies to study and giggle over lattes and chocolate. On my desk is a rock with the words “Choose Joy!” etched in it. It’s my inspiration for each day. As an author, it is my hope that my own words might share that joy we find together as children of God.

With Him, it can be so.