{clothed with love}

Last week, a food fast. This week, a voice fast.

Day 2.5
Today, my voice is smaller and less significant. I can barely reach above a whisper, and my throat is beginning to ache with the effort of forming words that can be understood by the few people I'm forced to talk to. I am worn out and tired because it takes twice as much effort to actually say anything. I am dizzy and light headed. But in honesty, none of that bothers me compared to the ache I feel to sing, even to hum. I miss it desperately.

But I am confident that God has things to teach me through this week (or so) of quiet. I am notorious for my inability to be still and quiet before the Lord. What better way to accomplish this than to become mute :)
So far, one thing I feel is important for me is to listen to music. It's become a subconscious thing to sing along with the radio or my ipod. Singing makes me feel good, and it's second-nature if there's music playing. But I always realize when I truly listen to songs how much I can miss. Small nuances, sweet harmonies, guitar notes I hadn't noticed before. There are so many beautiful individual pieces that come together to make a great song, even in ridiculous music like what plays on popular radio stations. Since my singing now sounds worse than a trash can with a broken wheel being dragged across a gravel driveway, I get to really listen to music. It's a beautiful thing.

So take it from someone who has no choice, next time you're listening to your favorite song that you've heard a thousand times over, stop singing along and truly listen to what's happening within the song. What did you miss last time?

Some albums I've been listening to in the past couple days that I'm rediscovering a love for:
Jars of Clay - The Shelter
Imogen Heap - Ellipse
Flyleaf - Memento Mori
Florence & the Machine - Lungs

I also listened to a preview of Adele's new album that comes out later this month, and I can't wait for it. It's amazing. I wasn't crazy about her first album, but that was my preference, not her quality.