Bracing For A Nightmare
I had just lain down to go to sleep. I closed my eyes and immediately started having dark images flow across the forefront of my mind shifting rapidly from one thing to the next. When I say dark images, I mean gruesome, sexual, aggressive, horrific images that are unwelcome and uninvited. This happens from time to time, enough so that I've recognized the patterns of what comes next. I'm going to have a nightmare that is deeply disturbing.
I turned to Chels. She too had just laid down to sleep. I let her know about what was going on and that I was on track for a visceral nightmare. Her response to me was, "Can I sing you a song?".
Her Voice For The First Time
The first time I recognized Chelsea's real beauty was at an event where she sang and played guitar. I didn't know anything about her at that time, really; I just knew that her voice connected me to God in that singular (pun very much intended) moment. It's not the reason we fell in love and committed to each other, but it certainly is a representation of her spirit and goodness. Needless to say, I take every chance I can get to hear her sing.
The Night Continued
I responded to her with a giddy and quick, "Yes! Please!".
She then asked, "What song would you like me to sing?"
Me: "I'm good with anything." (I had one in mind though)
After a long pause, she said, "I thought of one. Want to guess what song it is?"
Earlier That Evening...
Before I tell you what I guessed, I would like to recount something that had happened earlier that night. Chels had left to get a break from the kids, go shopping, and do a workout class. I spent the evening hanging out with August (3) & Raya (2). We played for a while, ate dinner, gave them a bath then got ready for our nighttime routine. We typically read 1 book per kid by flashlight while laying in bed then I sing them a song after I turn off the light. Once we got to the singing portion, I had the song, "Colors of the Wind" come to mind. What you need to know is that I haven't sung this song or heard it in the past 3-4 years. The kids haven't seen Pocahontas (the movie). This is a new song for them. I sang it to our kids and felt a strong bond with the spirit of the lyrics and music.
Chels got home, we got ready for bed, then laid down (the beginning of this entry).
Back To The Story
"Guess what song it is?"
For some reason, without skipping a beat, I said, "Colors of the Wind".
She almost exploded, "WHAAAT!?!?!? How did you guess that!?"
I explained to her that I had it in my heart that night for some reason.
She put her head on my chest and sang the most perfect song directly to my heart.
I didn't have a nightmare that night.
Why Share This?
I was astounded that Chels was able to discern spiritually what my needs were without even knowing about the earlier experience. There was no reason for her to have called upon that particular song. It hasn't been a recent piece of our lives. Why would it even be possible?
She picked up on something that was deeper. I believe that happens when we're connected to God's Spirit. I believe more and more that God speaks to us through other people. He heals us. He mothers us. He will even comfort us when we're bracing for a nightmare.
"Colors of the Wind" - Chels Voice + Guitar
The next night, Chels was practicing "Colors of the Wind" on guitar. I snuck a recording. You can get a sense of the soothing ability of her voice. She even threw in some extra lyrics (she a funny girl).
