Musical Mayhem

There's something about music and singing that I absolutely love.  A few years ago I was given a special gift by the previous youth pastor at our church.  I had been dog sitting for him and his wife, and to show their appreciation they gave me a gift they knew I would never buy for myself, an Ipod.  

As for buying an Ipod for myself, the youth pastor hit the nail on the head, I would never have done such a thing.  But, now that I have one I'm hooked.  My Ipod has seen me through some rough nights, some long and painful workouts, and when I'm just not having a very good day I turn to two things, Jesus and music.  These are the things that lift my spirits. 

Earlier this week, I was exercising away listening to one of my favorite songs.  I clicked off my Ipod for just one moment to ask my daughter a question, and when I came back and tried to switch it on again, all that stared back at me was the black screen of death.

I was doomed.  I began to sweat.  I looked up at my daughter, "It's dead," was all I could manage to say.

"Is the battery charged?" She asked me, her eyes beginning to widen in sheer panic and horror.

"I just charged it."

 I quickly grabbed my laptop and sat down on the couch.  I plugged my Ipod into my computer and waited for the familiar Itunes menu to come on the screen.  Nothing.  Nyet.  Zilch.  Nada.  The black screen of death stared up at me as if to say, "Where's your precious music now?"

The rest of the day passed in a blur.  I reminded myself that the Ipod was just a thing, that it really had no value.  I told myself that I didn't need to listen to music while I did the rest of my exercises, or while I cleaned my room, I could just hum to myself.  Who was I kidding?  Let's face it, I was bummed.

Music has this eternal quality about it.  It doesn't just hang out in the background making noise.  It winds its way into our souls, lifts our spirits and makes us feel good.  It's a gift.  Something from our Creator.  Something so special that it even helps us to give love and praise back to God.  That's pretty cool.

The next morning I rolled out of bed and walked into the living room.  I spied my little dead Ipod sitting on the kitchen table.  I picked it up and walked to the couch.  Sitting down, I decided to give it one last try and clicked the menu button.  As if by magic, the light came on and the menu started up. 

I was so excited I wanted to throw a party, or have a parade through the neighborhood in my pajamas, waving the little piece of technology high above my head and shouting, "It's not dead!  I beat the black screen of death!"  But, I didn't do it, don't worry.  Instead, I poured myself an extra cup of coffee and celebrated quietly, while I restored my Ipod.  Here's to music, and those crazy little mechanical devices we play it on.