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Late to the party

Luke 15:25:" Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing."

The party was already raging for the Prodigal son when the hard working brother came forth. I always wondered about how he might have felt coming late to the party. But at least he could hear the music.

Dorothea Dix, a social reformer of the early 19th century, might have thought she too came late to the party. She didn’t find her purpose in life until nearly the age of 46. That year she felt compelled to advocate for the mentally ill housed with criminals and debtors in a cold brick-walled prison in Boston. She insisted they have heat and got it for them. Thus began her life’s work.

Music played a part in her work. She saw how music could comfort the distressed and serve as an avenue to spiritual calm and growth. (I think that’s why so many of us are moved by worshipful music ..the voices and instruments are like a bridge from the disappointing days to the center that is Jesus.)

Dorothea expressed her value of music by purchasing and giving away hundreds of music boxes to jails and hospitals throughout the country as she traveled. The tiny sounds reached and comforted those in great need, those who were mentally ill and who thought themselves forgotten and not invited to the party.  

Dorothea knew that all of us are invited to God’s party where we can hear the music inviting us into his presence.

Original devotional from Jane Kirkpatrick, author of One Glorious Ambition


Daily Reflection: What does music draw you to do? How does it comfort?

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