While watching the news tonight, the human-interest story concluding the news was a piece on the passing of Bruce Springsteen’s mother, Adele. The clip featured her attending his concerts and dancing and singing along to her son’s music. It ended with Bruce sharing that she had recently passed away after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s. He communicated through her journey with this disease, Adele never forgot her music. She could always remember the words to songs and her dance moves from the past.

I witnessed the same thing with my mother in her memory care center.  Not only my mother, but almost every person who resided there perked up and lifted their voices in song when the music started playing.  They sang hymns and music from the 40’s and 50’s. Their faces glowed with happiness which was wonderful to see. I saw my mother enjoying herself and smiling which was no longer a common sight. It was a blessing to see her happy and for her to feel joy.

Martin Luther, the greatest reformer of the sixteenth century was alone in affirming music as a gift from God to be used in His praise and proclaiming His word. Luther was the center of the new musical movement that profoundly affected the future use of music in the life and worship in the church. In our church lives today, we enjoy the privilege of enjoying music in all aspects of our worship services as we sing hymns of praise, some of them written by Martin Luther himself in addition to other types of liturgical music.

Music is a magnificent gift to us. It has the power to evoke strong feelings. Music can soothe sorrow and bitter despair, and induce supreme joy and sublime happiness. It mirrors how the Lord takes care of us at all times of our lives. Like His unconditional love for us and the forgiveness He offers through that love, music is a blessing and a beautiful way to praise the Lord. I am thankful my mother and others in her same state of health, still have that one thing left in their life that gives them pleasure. Thanks be to God for this wonderful blessing of music in our lives.

Patty