Harmony

I sing with an ensemble at church.  I enjoy sharing in the musical creativity, but last week I skipped out on rehearsal.  I got a phone call a bit later because there were only two singers there, and they were working on a song that really needed three-part harmony.  So, I went to rehearsal.

By the time I got there, the other two ladies had worked out their parts.  I added the third part, and it rounded out the sound of the song.  It was easy for us, almost effortless.  Each of us just seemed to know where the other vocals were going.  And our voices blended.

Guess we’ve learned the secret in that group.  We listen to each other.  Each one of us is mindful of the other singers.  We don’t want to overpower the others.  We just want the overall sound to be beautiful rather than showcase our own voices.

Every member of my family has a voice that can be heard (o.k., we’re a bit loud).  Many times in our home, I find that we’re struggling to get our own words out, our own point of view.  And it can quickly get out of control as our words and tempers escalate.  Seems we haven’t learned that ensemble secret.  We don’t listen. 

In our ensemble, there are times when one of us sings lead.  And the rest of us back off during that time.  If we all tried to sing solos at the same time, the result would be chaos.  Occasionally at home, we’re all singing lead and tripping over each other.  Rather than feeling like our voices are heard, we end up feeling alone.

I think it’s time for a change in our household.  Time for us to stop running around, pushing our own agendas, and just stop.  Time to hear when Ethan asks a question about his favorite president (Ulysses S. Grant) or when Daniel wants to recount every play of a UNC basketball game.  And time to share details about our dreams of living near the ocean.

Thankfully, there are moments when we get it.  Like when Daniel taught Ethan the names of the planets the other day.  Or when we cheer Daniel on at a basketball game.  Or when we work together in the yard under the gorgeous spring sky. 

We’re learning that – while we each have different parts to sing – we can be supportive by truly engaging in each others’ activities.  We can share dinnertime conversation about everyday occurrences at school and work.  Hopefully, with enough practice, our conversations will become true moments of sharing and produce a lovely, harmonious sound.