Broken Together

Casting Crowns has the most beautiful new song called "Broken Together."

When I first listened to "Broken Together," it sounded so much like the love story of a couple who had fallen on very difficult times. The couple were at the end of their strength and were seriously close to ending the whole thing.

The chorus says it perfectly:

Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete
Could we just be broken together?
If you can bring your shattered dreams and I'll bring mine
Could healing still be spoken and save us
The only way we'll last forever is broken together

(Casting Crowns, from the album Thrive)

The haunting melody and musical bridge led me to consider all of the broken dreams and struggles in my own marriage. We have been married almost 30 years, but length of time together does not mean perfection. I think the song reminded me that being broken is the first step in allowing God to put things back together, a job that only He can do. Both of us have shattered dreams, dreams that have fallen in pieces to the ground. But what it? What if we both agree and bring those broken parts together and allow our hearts and marriage to be healed?

It has worked for us, though I've just labeled it through this song.

And then even more recently, I was listening to a radio host talking about "Broken Together" being a picture of human beings, not just married people or couples in a relationship.

This song is a perfect fit for those deep relationships between brothers and sisters, moms and dads, kids and parents, and friends. Nobody is perfect. We hurt others and they hurt us. Sometimes our dreams come true, but not every time. What the Lord wants is our brokenness. Only then can we be complete and healed forever, for He completes us in every way.

The only way we'll last forever . . . is broken together.

Angie Quantrell listens to K-Love, a Christian radio station. K-Love features wonderful touching songs which are refreshment for her soul.

The Piano

Donavyn, the youngest of my babies (until June), explores the piano. He is going to be musical, this handsome boy!

The piano has been in our family for quite a long time.

My children banged and played on it. Neighborhood kids were drawn to the much-loved instrument like flies to a picnic. My preschoolers, at church and at school-school, spent many happy hours pounding the sort of ivory keys. Every child that has entered a room where the piano rests has been magnetically pulled to the piano and has immediately started playing.

Now that the prized instrument sits in my living room, my grands go like moths to a flame. Pound, jingle, bang, and play. They sing. They experiment. They observe. They make up songs. There is no resistance in children to experiencing this piano. Much to the noise tolerance levels of adults in attendance.

But it is my piano. And my babies. And my living room.

Play, babies, play. Get that rhythm going. Listen to those songs and tap that beat. Make up silly words, or no words at all. Sing. Clap. Bang. Pound.

Create. Imagine. Explore.

Do you have any toys of this intrinsic and sentimental value?

A Month of Thanks - November 17 - Music

I absolutely adore music. A musician I am not. But these ears tune in and join any music that is playing on the airwaves. My soul communicates with and through music. I often find what I want to express in the notes and words of a song.

Instrumental and choral music both attract me. But my all-time favorite is Christmas music. Confession time: I have already started listening to it! I usually try to wait until Thanksgiving, but not this year. My excuse is that Thanksgiving is late. That cuts into my Christmas-music-listening time. And I already have my first Christmas card on display. Which the kitties have christened along the top edge with their sharp teeth.

Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la.

Today, November 17, I am thankful for music.