This is Ponderable - the gift of music in all it's diversity

I love music. I do not have a gift for music; as in the ability to sing or play any sort of instrument, but I do have the gift of loving music. All kinds, with the exception of hip hop and cheesy pointless music. (my definition of anything Mariah Carey, Brittany Spears, or any sleazy boob flaunting singer who has forgotten what music is really about)
When I was little (let me clarify, really little) I spent hours before bed sitting in my little kid rocking chair in my room singing my heart out to 'Jesus Loves Me' and 'Jesus Loves the little children', 'This Little Light of Mine'...
What my parents had to endure. You must understand, I LOVE to sing, I just am not very good at it. That hasn't stopped me, but I have learned to sing in environments where other people don't have to endure the sound. If you pass me driving down the road you will probably see me singing. If you were in my kitchen as I am preparing food by myself, you would see me singing. I do have a bad habit of humming when I am in the presence of other people. I didn't know I did this. It has been 'kindly' pointed out to me by those who love me-or those who I have the most chance to drive crazy.
Somehow I 'birthed' children with the real gift for music. I have spent hours of my life at music lessons, concerts, gigs, musicals, church services, recitals; I have listened to the newest itunes releases, the latest from their favorite artists, recording sessions and band practices in our basement (thank goodness for a semi-sound proof room) and quiet acoustic moments in between studying or in the stressful times of life. I have watched them develop the gift that I believe was passed on to them through the deep love that their Grandma Kuyper had for music. With pride I have watched them use this gift to benefit others, to serve churches, to have fun, to worship and praise God, and also to find their own peace and relaxation.
I expected that my boys would play every sport known to man. That was what I liked and what I thought boys did. As is often the case, God had a plan that was different from mine. And as always, His was a better plan.
So this blog took on a very different direction than I had originally intended it to take. I was going to do a light hearted blog about the fabulous Brad Paisley concert I attended this weekend. He is a musician extraordinaire who looks really good in a pair of William Rast jeans.  After pondering all of that though, I'll take listening to music on any old radio, in sweatpants and a t-shirt, on an old couch, beside the man I love or listening to Scott drum his heart out at a Hope College Gathering, or Matt practicing to be a part of his churches worship team, or Alex plunking out some tunes of the piano that was his Grandmas.