Own It, Girl!

Psalm 66:1 --  "Shout  joyfully to God, all the earth."

I have this amazing friend.  She probably has no idea what a superwoman I really think she is.  In addition to being someone that I can ALWAYS tell everything that's knockin' around in my head - knowing she's going to be honest with me even if it might hurt my feelings [but she's so amazing that she even knows how to tsk tsk me while encouraging me at the same time] - she ALSO has these moments when she reaches out to me.  ME! Can you believe that?  So I not only value her but am valued by her.  ...it just blows my mind.

So the other day my amazing friend was in a dollar type store, looking for great bargains [she's a whiz at this by the way] when she hears song.  Not music....song.  Another woman is in the store, ear-buds tucked tightly in her ears is belting away at the top of her lungs along with the gospel music pumping through her music device.  My amazing friend smiles to herself. She totally enjoys this and then thinks it might be nice to say something to Songbird.  ...she tinkers with the idea....almost doesn't do it.  She was just about to talk herself out of saying anything when she finds herself in the same shopping isle and realizes this is a once in a life time opportunity.

My friend, taps the woman on the shoulder and makes the comment that she's been listening to Songbird and can't begin to express how greatly she appreciates hearing another woman belt out the lyrics to gospel music in public.  GOSPEL music!  IN public!  Not modern rap music or slightly ambiguous praise songs, but tried and true - there is NO mistaking what this woman is singing about - gospel music. [I LOVE IT]

Do you wanna know what Songbird says?  She says  "oh honey, I HAVE to sing.  I'm lucky to be alive.  I was so very sick with cancer but God saw fit to allow me to keep on breathing." Ok, so I don't have this quote word for word but I'm close.

My amazing friend tells Songbird that her day is now made and that walking into that store for a bargain turned out so much better than she had hoped because she was encouraged, uplifted, reminded that God is at work everywhere and thanks Songbird for singing.  Songbird says to my amazing friend....YOU made MY day, because you thanked me and gave me the opportunity to share what God has done in my life.

Two thinks struck me: 1.What if Songbird had been too timid to belt out the lyrics along with her music?   And 2.What if my amazing friend hadn't said anything to her?

I'm so proud of both of them.  Shout it!  Sing it!  Belt it out and TELL other people what an amazing God we have!  Got joy? Own it, girl....and then share it with the rest of the world!