This morning's song: St. Francis' prayer

This morning I clearly heard the refrain of the song created from the prayer of St. Francis:

Oh Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Today's message was definitely the refrain of the song. In fact, it wasn't until after hearing it softly rolling through my head for 15 minutes that I began to hear the beginning of the song:

Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving of ourselves that we receive,
And in dying that we're born to eternal life.

I attended a memorial service last evening for a dear family friend who died suddenly and totally unexpectedly last week. We celebrated her life with a service at St. Martin's Lutheran church in Austin and then a small group went to El Gallo restaurant in Austin to remember our joyful times with this special lady.  My husband and I used to regularly join my parents and their friends on Friday nights at one of three local Mexican restaurants. Boy did we have fun!!! The stories, laughter and dear friendships that developed over enchiladas, margaritas, Mexican martinis and mariachi singers are priceless. Last night was no exception. While we were sad, we banded together, young and old, ate and drank, consoled one another, told fun stories and reflected upon her joyous vivacious spirit. Annette, we miss you!!

Funny that this morning's message wasn't either of the two hymns sung at Annette's service: How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace. It wasn't any of the songs I heard on my ipad I listened to yesterday afternoon. There were many options, but only one crystal clear message. So today, I send you consolation for your sorrows, understanding for your trials and love for your day.

P.S. Two years ago today I lost my precious Oma, my 98-year old grandmother. She was with me yesterday, her 77th wedding anniversary, as yesterday's service was in the church she and my grandfather attended their entire adult lives....where my grandfather used to sing solos regularly with his robust baritone voice. So here's to you also, Oma and Opa! Know you are enjoying being together again after being apart for 17 physical years. This pic is of Oma (center), my mom (left) and me at another joyous family outing.

Song Messages

Ever get song messages from your angel guides? I get them ALL the time.

I know it's common to get a song in your head after hearing it somewhere recently. This is different. When my guardian angel Allison has a song message for me, whether it's important or something to lighten my day, I hear it clear as a bell, with full instrumentation. Often these songs will play in my head through the night preventing me from sleeping soundly. That's a big message! Sometimes I get every single lyric line and a rousing chorus. Other times, a single line from a song will play over and over.

Love songs for a week in 2003
In the spring of 2003, when I was single and ready to meet the man of my dreams, I went to the Mayan Riviera with dear friends from my Chicago days. Every night on that trip I had a different love song running through my head. Not any of my favorites or anything I had heard recently. Each one played all night long!

©Debbi Smith Rourke - "Mayan Riviera"  24" x24"

I painted this oil painting of the Mayan Riviera from a photo I took on the 2003 trip. 

The song I remember most from that vacation week was from the sixites. It's called "Love Grows" by Edison Lighthouse. (You Tube link for your amusement.) Don't even remember that group's name! Just looked it up. I was very young when it was popular, but I do remember it. 

Oh, but love grows where my Rosemary goes

And nobody knows like me

There's something about her hand holding mine

It's a feeling that's fine and I just gotta say

She's really got a magical spell, and it's working so well

That I can't get away.

I'm a lucky fella and I've just got to tell her

That I love her endlessly.

Because love grows where my Rosemary goes and nobody knows like me. 

Schmaltzy I know! And my name is not Rosemary. So each day on the trip, I'd ask my friends if they remembered each night's song. My roommate was convinced they all meant I was going to meet Mr. Right very soon. That was March and I met my husband Jim in early July of 2003 - four months later. We celebrate our 8th anniversary on Tuesday!! Woohoo. We recently went to the Mayan Riviera for one FABULOUS vacation, just a few miles from where I stayed in 2003. This one was even better!!! Our love continues to grow, just like the song states.

I'll save more Allison song message stories for later. Since this is my anniversary week, thought this would be a special post. Here is a picture of Jim and me on our big day. My Mayan Riviera compadres from 2003 were in attendance of course.

So the next time you get a song in your head, just consider that it might be a message from your angels. It's an easy way for them to communicate with you. Happy angel connecting.