Can I let you in on a little secret? I am fully aware of the power of music in our life. Wanna know I how I know what it’s capable of? I know that the songs you listen to matter because I recall all the songs that I remember from my own childhood. My Mom had what I believe was the first minivan they ever made in the 80’s and as we’d run errands throughout our day or go to ballet class after school. She had various Christian artists and Hosanna! Integrity worship songs that would play on cassette on repeat in our car. Decades have passed and in many cases I haven’t “listened” to those songs in a long time but all it takes is one mention of a Bible verse one of those songs was based on or something said in a sermon that triggers the song’s memory and the songs plays again in my mind. The lyrics, the melody, all of it comes flooding back to my memory in an instant. I realize that my Mom wasn’t just filling silence. She was intentionally planting truth on our hearts for the journey of life ahead.
Now, I’m a Mom of two sons and I purposefully choose songs full of scripture and God’s promises to be played in my car. I want the playlists that we listen to on our drives to not just fill time but to seal God’s Word on their spirit. I love it when they ask questions about lyrics of the songs. These songs we listen to have helped us to have conversations about faith. Helping my youngest son understand the irony of truth like “what the devil meant for bad, God meant for good.” The kingdom of God doesn’t always make sense to our earthly minds but I’m so thankful that he’s soaking up this kind of truth now because the day will come when life hands him some lemons. He can choose to sit in the pain, or he can learn to trust God will turn it for good. Build intentional playlists to listen to with your kids. Look up the great music from Little Praise Party, Orange Kids Music, Doorpost Songs, Jumpstart 3 and Seeds. Keep radio stations on like SPIRIT 105.3 and PRAISE 106.5 or a local Christian radio station in your area so God’s truth is played like an echo day after day. There is a time coming when your littles won’t be little anymore. When they go through the battles of life may their heart cry worship the way David of the Bible did. He found his hiding place in God’s presence.
I’ve had other parents share the conversations they’ve had with their own children because of one of my songs. All of a sudden at bed time, a conversation unfolds that helps that parent disciple their child in the things of God. They may never have had that conversation without the help of that song making that child’s mind wonder and wrestle to try to understand. Realize that what you push play on matters.
About Yancy:
Yancy is a worship leader, songwriter and producer of hundreds of songs that make Jesus loud. Her Dove Award-winning music is all the things kids love and everything adults value. She is a powerhouse at leading and teaching kids from birth to preteen how to worship and creates popular worship resources for churches and homes around the world. Yancy is a passionate advocate of raising disciples to worship and recently authored the book Sweet Sound: The Power of Discipling Kids in Worship. Because of her passion to serve the Church, she created “Heartbeat,” a curriculum to teach kids the heart of worship. With a family legacy of children’s ministry, her authority and PK (Preacher’s Kid) perspective help encourage and champion the Kidmin community that the seeds they are planting will reap a harvest that will go on to affect families for generations. Yancy lives with her husband and two sons in Nashville, TN. For more information or to connect with Yancy, Follow her on Social Media: @YancyNotNancy
