Singing, walking and reflecting

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“Let me encourage you to start singing again. Yes, even when you’re

alone. Add it to your time with God. Get up with a song. Before

anything in the day has a chance to squeeze it out of you, express

your praise in a song.”

-- CHARLES SWINDOLL

Last week, I wrote about God’s extravagant love for us and for his

creation all around us. I also mentioned a group of women who are

studying a book about spiritual disciplines and the fun we have had

sharing ideas of what we would do if we had a day in which we could

do anything we wanted, without having to be disciplined in any way.

I couldn’t print all the creative responses. One woman whom I left

out wanted to stay home alone, play the piano and sing. I said some

things when it was my turn to answer, but I didn’t mention that I’d

like to sing and to walk.

I love to sing. I actually woke up singing on the morning I first

worked on this column. We’ve been singing great songs in church

recently, and I have listened to some wonderful music in the car and

at home. The song I woke up singing to myself this morning has the

words, “I sing for joy at the work of your hands, forever I’ll love

you, forever I’ll stand. Nothing compares to the promise I have in

you.”

Sometimes I get the words and melodies right when I sing, and

sometimes I don’t, but it doesn’t really matter. I like music, and I

like to sing. I like to sing to God and about God, and I’d like to

think that God enjoys hearing me.

I also love to walk. The morning I began this column, I sang and I

walked. Walking may sound like a discipline to some, but it is a

delight to me. I walked by a park that always seems to make me smile.

The play equipment is inviting, but my favorite thing is watching

children play there with parents, grandparents or friends. Many times

I walk past it, and though there aren’t children present, there is

evidence that they’ve been there.

Last week, there were colorful chalk drawings of cats, dogs, birds

and rabbits. All the animals had big smiles, as did the pictures of

little boys and girls.

I walked past a long hopscotch diagram, and then turned back to

study it more. There were colorful squares and circles numbered from

one all the way up to 62. Somebody or several children had worked

long and hard to create the longest hopscotch design I’ve ever seen.

I would have liked to see children play in it. I loved hopscotch when

I was young, and it was fun to hop through it again, though I didn’t

hop through all 62 squares and circles. I continued walking and

singing and thanking God for the day.

A few days later, I returned to the park. The dew and sprinklers

had nearly erased the hopscotch and other animals, but I could see

several pumpkins with big broad grins, which brought a smile to my

face.

Sometimes the simple things bring the deepest joy. I’m encouraged

to keep on singing.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Suite 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.