11/29/2025
"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of
praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in Him."
Psalm 40:3
For the past two days I have been drifting off to sleep, unable to read for any period of time, or write, which distresses me, as I am I love reading my Bible. Each time I read new life rises from the crinkled pages of my new Bible, already showing the wear and tear of love. I cried out to the Lord for help to wake me up, as I desperately needed time alone with Him. I opened my email and began to pray over the needs. It always brings great sadness to my heart reading the news, especially from trusted sources or directly from the ministries. The news is a great source for prayer lists, as much intercession is necessary for our nation and this world's affairs. Our world desperately needs Jesus.
TBN was announcing a special showing of the documentary The Journey with Andrea Bocelli as he makes a 200 mile pilgrimage on horseback with his wife, Veronica, and friends traveling from St Peter's Square to his home in Lajatico. Andrea said that his father had given him a horse when he was young, as he wanted him to ride before he went completely blind. He was born with congenital glaucoma, and at age 12 he sustained an injury playing football that caused a brain hemorrhage that led to total blindness. I love to hear him sing along with his very musically talented family. As he rides across Italy he is sharing with his guests about his and their musical call from God and the spiritual significance of music. He questions some of his guests about their musical journeys. Journeying with him are Tori Kelly, Michael W. Smith, Tauren Wells, Taya, Clara Barbier Serrano, Katherine Jenkins, his daughter, Virginia and son Matteo. Not all rode horses, but some he met along the way.
Andrea speaks of his earlier years when he was trying to begin his musical career at age 35. He said he was always told he had a beautiful voice, but...! I can't imagine that, as his voice is so pure and celestial, and he always lifts me to a higher place when he sings. He said he loved to sing and for him it had to be not that he tell people he wanted to sing, but rather for someone to ask him to "sing for me."
This calls to my memory how I sang early in life. My grandmother and mama were always singing hymns, and I have wonderful memories of waking up to the sound of sweet music and whistling. As a child when I was at home, I'd go to the basement and put on movie soundtracks or listened to the older sounds. I have always loved music and singing, and I'd perform to my imaginary audience in the basement. In the 60's there was a music group of young people called Sing Out South that was formed to bridge the racial divide. They came to my school, and at the end they asked for anyone who wanted to join them to come forward. Well, I hurriedly ran up on that stage. When I told my mother about it, she said I couldn't join. I don't remember why now, but I was so disappointed. When I was young I always sang in church, so for me this was another step forward. This is not the first or last time I was told "no" to my dreams. As an adult in my mid 30's my mother was visiting New Mexico, and she heard me sing a solo. As we walked home, she told me "I didn't know that you could sing like that!" As a church member I went from full choir, to a small quartet, then I began singing solos. One memory I have as a five year old is singing in a play at Walnut Hill Elementary School. That's all I remember except that it was a play, and I was in the first grade. When I attended Southside Church of the Nazarene and Colonial Heights Assembly of God I sang in the choir and solos. I loved to sing, and I hoped it was a pleasant melody unto the Lord. Otherwise it's just noise. Singing must always be for Him, a sweet-smelling aroma, pleasant to Him and for His glory. That's how Andrea Bocelli sings, because he sings as unto the Lord. I don't really know if I'll ever sing in public again, but I do so enjoy singing at home. My son doesn't seem to be bothered by it, so that's a good thing.
When the pilgrims arrived home, Andrea Bocelli shared:
"My favorite place is not on stage, surrounded by the crowds, but, rather, at home, surrounded by the people I love. Every time I am away, I hope I return a better man, a man of compassion, faith, and devotion. That is the journey that never ends."
He also said that one "hasn't experienced great joy without experiencing great pain." His son, Matteo, wrote his father a note that spoke of the importance of faith, family, love, forgiveness, hope, prayer, and serenity. How beautiful, as these virtues are exemplified in the life of Andrea Bocelli. He moves in mercy, kindness, and grace which he says are free gifts from God and are meant to be shared. He closes the documentary by singing a song he wrote called I Believe:
"One day I'll hear
The laugh of children
In a world where war has been banned.
One day I'll see
Men of all colours
Sharing words of love and devotion.
The Holy Spirit
Find the power of your faith.
Open your heart
To those who need you.
In the name of love and devotion."
chorus
Beautiful song by a brilliant man given to much kindness and love which he shares with his community and his precious family. It's a wonderful thing to see and experience in a family greatly blessed by God.
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