The Same Permission

By Dwayne K. Parsons

The other day while working, I heard a young man singing short phrases in various tunes. I paid little attention because the work was demanding. He was a carpenter putting up interior trim in another room. I was a painter sanding new boards smooth to accept the stain I would later spray on them.

On the second day, I happened to walk by the doorway to the room where the young man was and heard him sing, “…because you’ll never let me go.” I stopped outside the room and listened for a moment longer. He was singing to God, singing of God’s love for him, short phrases not necessarily connected one to the other. It wasn’t so much a song, just heart thoughts that I heard.

I smiled. Then I thought about where I was in my own life, how I had been working hard, long days and taking little time for myself or my family and I realized I had gotten away from prayer time, quiet time and praising God myself. I could see all the hurry in my life and the urgency to get things done because I had filled my life up with work

All the while I was thinking these things I could hear this young carpenter singing his simple songs of praise. I realized I had put God out of my mind and replaced him with focus on the work of too many jobs. I had forgotten that praise and worship are powerful harmonizing tools for the soul, that peace comes from them and diligence, wise thinking and productivity. I knew if I went back to praising and giving thanks by habit that the striving would disappear.

I can’t say that I went into the next room and started singing to God. I didn’t. I went on about my work that day much the same as before. But the young man’s voice filled the house with song. Everyone could hear him.

Later I told him that I liked what he was singing and that I thought God did as well.

“I’m not singing for people to listen,” he said.

That was it. That’s all he said. Perhaps he thought I was trying to flatter him. But I wasn’t. Really, I was just telling myself aloud that I should give myself the same permission.