Singing Together Works Wonders
In a culture too fast paced for its own good, baseball’s a tough sell. To some, baseball’s B O R I N G. Not to me, I love baseball, and most sports. Baseball’s so American. I love standing and singing during the 7th inning stretch, Take Me Out To The Ballgame. Red Sox fans, as well as fans of the other team, unite together through singing.
So, why sing? Well, for starters, it’s hard to stay angry while singing. Singing unites and ignites something good. The other night, I watched a World War II Navy veteran, Sverre Vinje, sing at a Milwaukee Brewers game, via a segment on ABC news.
Now, some avoid watching the news, laden with suffering, hype, retaliation, ads,man-made and natural disasters. But ABC ends with something positive, humorous or hopeful. I need all three. You, too?
So back to the veteran. He was 102 years old and sang before thousands with a clear and strong voice. Amazing. But, as he sang, I joined along, wiping my eyes like many others. Sverre Vinje led us in, God Bless America, Land that I love. And having served in WWII, he proved his love.
Through technology, I became part of a musical reminder of God’s goodness. And a prayer for God to “stand beside us and to guide us.” No mountain, prairie or coastal people excluded. And I thought again, not all saints wear halos or religious symbols. Some wear Veteran caps, firemen helmets, police hats, nurses caps, bandanas, hairnets or remain hatless.
There’s a lot of fear-mongering, as well as legitimate fear, like A.I. going rogue or unpredictable, rogue leaders inflicting harm. But the Bible is full of reminders to Fear Not. One source says there are 365 verses encouraging us to fear not. That’s one for each day of the year. Google Isaiah 41:10 to fear not. and Ephesians 5:19 to sing.
Later, in an interview, Sverre left us with one of Life’s Valuable Lessons, as my Norwegian grandmother used to say. He said, “Don’t be afraid to go out there and do things that are right.”
So, fear not and do what is right and good, like Sverre. And remember, “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” Marcus Aurelius
And while we’re at, lets sing.
Together is better.
Amen?
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