Sunday, July 01, 2007

I'm A Believer!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Song of Solomon 4, 5, 6

Song of Solomon 4:7 (ESV)

7 You are altogether beautiful my love; there is no flaw in you.

I John 4:12(b)-13 (ESV)

12b If we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

Good morning!

In 1966, I had a crush on a boy band. The group that stole my heart was a pop-rock quartet from Los Angeles, who had their roots in England. Their television sitcom only ran for three years but I can tell you I did not miss an episode. The first time I heard the song I’m a Believer on the radio, I was hooked, and so was the rest of America. In 1966, I’m A Believer hit the #1 spot on the Pop Music Charts in the United States and Great Britain. Like many other wide-eyed eight year old girls, I believed that one day I would grow up and marry Davy Jones.

My grandfather had become gravely ill in Mississippi and my mother had taken my four-year-old sister and went back home to help care for her father in the last days of his life. I was in the second grade and because this happened during the school year, I ended up staying at home alone in St. Louis with my dad. He was not the cook my mother was, and quite often after he got home from work, we would go and have supper at the Steak N Shake on Lindbergh Boulevard in Hazelwood. I liked twirling on the big bar stool next to the juke box. My dad did not care for the Monkeys. He thought their hair was way too long and he really didn’t like the loud music and all those hysterical girls fainting at their feet. Still, he could see the twinkle in my eye every time I heard the Monkees’ music on the transistor radio. We would order my favorite food – a cheeseburger (plain) with French fries, and a large strawberry milk shake. When the food would arrive, Daddy would lean over and add some change to the jukebox, pressing the button next to the Monkees’ number one hit. I remember spinning around and around on that tall bar stool, laughing and singing, I’m A Believer with my Dad.

This was not a happy time in my life. My grandfather was dying and I knew I would never see him alive again. My mother and sister were far, far away, and I didn’t know when they were coming home to us. Oh, but how I treasured those wonderful dinners with my father at Steak N Shake. Every time I visit that restaurant today, it takes me back to those cheeseburger suppers in 1966, while rocking out to the amazing music of Davy Jones and the Monkees.

Last night I found myself literally transported back in time. While sitting in worship with my dear friend and prayer partner, the praise band began to play and sing the song I’m A Believer. They had changed the words up from the ones I remembered singing as a child, yet, I really liked their version much better! I knew I was showing my age as I sat there laughing and clapping, but I just didn’t care! Proclaiming that I’m a believer is one of the most joyful things I do in life! That song helped me through some really rough spots as a young girl, and now, in my forty-eighth year, it ministers to me today. Life may not be as sweet as we would like it to be. There are seasons when we find ourselves grieving losses, like the loss of a family member, the loss of our innocence, or the loss of time itself. Standing up and shouting, Well, I saw His face and now I’m a Believer! can take the edge off the most difficult circumstances of our life. We have faith! We have seen Him! We are believers!

In a time when things were less than perfect for me, God revealed His love through the melody of one simple childhood song. His love is perfected in our hearts. When are lives are not so perfect, God always is.

I hope you stand up and sing I’m A Believer in worship today. We are perfected through the love of Christ, where all things are made beautiful in Him.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: His joy! Do you know the perfect, holy Son of the living God? Jesus Christ can take your imperfections and transform them by the power of His love. Sing it with me - I’m a believer! Yeah, yeah, yeah!

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

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