Inspired

Inspired (in-spahy-rd) aroused, animated, or imbued with the spirit to do something, by or as if by supernatural or divine influence. 

It seems like I come across things a lot that inspire me, everything from the ordinary to the spectacular...

Sometimes they're a part of our every day lives and sometimes they're just little things that are inspiring that get noticed, but not mentioned.  I've been trying to be more aware of the little things lately, and to pay attention to living in the moment...not thinking about what needs to be done or stuck in the stress of something that happened 5 minutes ago...

But to live in the present, in the moment...right here, right now.

And in the moment, I was inspired by something seemingly small this week, but it wasn't small to me, or to Gabby, and it didn't go unnoticed.

This week I got to go with my girls to a church program for moms and daughters where Janice Kapp Perry spoke.  Girls and women from age 8 on up had been invited to participate in a choir singing music of Janice Kapp Perry.  We had other things going on during the practices, so we didn't even try to participate in the choir, but as we arrived and Gabby saw some of her friends in the choir and wanted to go sing with them.  I told her they practiced the songs and we wouldn't know the words, so we'd just listen.  She was disappointed, but settled in ready to just listen.

Not even a few minutes later one of the primary leaders came up to Gabby and asked her if she wanted to sing with the other kids.  It turned out Gabby knew some of the songs, and on the ones she didn't know, the leader gave her music so she could sing.  Also, that same woman sat behind her the entire program and as I watched, I saw Gabby turn around and ask her questions, and saw the woman help her out with music when she didn't know the words.  This woman went out of her way to make sure Gabby was included.

I was inspired by this woman's kindness and attentiveness.  It was just one woman, and one girl, but the attentiveness of that one woman made a huge difference to that little girl.  I was inspired.

I was also incredibly inspired as I listed to Janice Kapp Perry talk about her life and experiences with writing music.  I had pictured in my mind that she was always a composer, and was surprised to learn that it wasn't until she was in her 40's that she started writing music (that's my age, folks).  I thought of how often I just picture myself doing the same thing for the rest of my life, and don't try new things, either because I'm afraid, or because it's too much work.  I thought of how so many of her songs have influenced my life and the lives of my children...


I Walk By Faith, a song I learned when I was in the Young Women's program, years ago.  Words that inspired me as a youth to follow in my heart the things I knew, but couldn't see or prove.

A Child's Prayer...How often have I heard that song, even as an adult, and been reassured by the words, "Pray, He is there.  Speak, He is listening..."


And words can't express the gratitude of the healing we've felt as the reassuring words of Families Can Be Together Forever have spoken peace to Joie's heart and to our hearts as we sing, "I always want to be with my own family, and the Lord has shown me how I can..."


...And so many, many other songs, all because one woman in her 40's wasn't afraid to try writing music, and made a choice to combine simple gospel teachings with music.  Thankfully she wasn't content to not try, or to give up.

Inspired.

I'm pretty sure I won't be writing music, but I'll certainly be aware of the times I push away the idea of doing or trying something new, or taking the time for the little things like paying attention to a child.

What inspires you?