Monday, June 8, 2009

Lullabyes


What did you sing to your babies when you rocked them to sleep? What did your mother or father sing to you?

As I rocked Lily to sleep tonight, I found myself wondering about the songs we sing to our children; wondering why it is that some songs are so much more likely than others to be sung as lullabyes.

I don't remember, but I have been told that my dad sang "Rock of Ages" to me when I was a baby. Perhaps that's why I've found myself singing it to all three of my children. I wonder if his mother sang it to him? Or if one day Lydia, Nathan, or Lily will sing it to their children?

Another favorite of mine is "Near to the heart of God." Perhaps it's the first line, "There is a place of quiet rest" that makes it seem so appropriate as a bedtime song. Or perhaps it's the thought that, as I am holding my child close to my heart, my Heavenly Father is holding me close to His.

At the conclusion of particularly difficult days, when it seems like I've failed more than I've succeeded, I find myself in the darkness of our little nursery singing, "Grace, grace, God's grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin." These hymns are as much my prayers as they are Lily's lullabyes. How I need to be reminded that His grace is sufficient for all my needs!

I'm not much of a singer. It's hard for me to believe that the sound of my singing voice could soothe or comfort anyone. But perhaps as my children hear these great hymns of the faith, as they hear the name Jesus sung over and over again, they will start to realize that there really is "something about that name."

If you're reading this, and you have a moment, I'd love to hear your lullabye stories. What is or was it that you sang to your children, and why?

Forgive me for not posting a more recent picture to go with this post. I started to take a picture of Lily while she was sleeping, but sleep is hard to come by, and I'm not taking any chances!

2 comments:

  1. My kids like kid songs, but when I'm singing to them, they always want hymns. I don't know why I started that - I always sang silly little songs to my siblings. But, somehow as I was rocking my babies to sleep, I, like you, would think of hymns and just start singing them. Now all three of them still request our favorites more than any other song. Victory in Jesus, Sweetest Name I Know, and How Great Thou Art seem to be the favorites right now!

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  2. I have a picture of your dad singing"Rock of Ages" to you. I'll show you next time you are home.

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