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As kids my sister & I were dragged along to church not just once but twice on Sundays. While the evening service often felt like a bridge too far, there was one activity that kept us entertained. It didn’t happen every week, but occasionally this special feature raised its head.
On these occasions the minister invited members of the congregation to shout out the song numbers they wanted. As in, any song from a book of over 300! This felt daring & bold. It was like mixing a game of bingo with a jukebox. Tension entered the room. Anything could happen...
Most times, people went for the safe options; those big hits & the crowd favourites. But I secretly wondered if the musicians could ever be caught out. Surely they didn’t know every number in the book.
I should have said that the musicians were both our parents. This meant 2 things. Firstly, I was keen to see them sweat & secondly it meant my sister & I sat in a row all by ourselves. Near the front, but away from direct parental control; unhinged & free.
My 7 year-old-self had studied the book on many occasion & I had made my selection. My choice was simply due to the random nature of the title. A song about hearing the sound of rustling leaves seemed ridiculous to my childish brain so I awaited my moment.
Egged on by my sister & after several near misses an opportunity arose. A silence fell & I allowed my high pitched voice to be break it. Number 274 I declared confidently, secretly delighted that I finally had control of the jukebox.
The congregation murmured at the sound of an unfamiliar number thrown into the mix of this worship free-for-all. Pages swiftly turned. I hoped it would catch my parents napping...
Frustratingly the moment seemed to pass off without incident, but ever since I have had this random 80s worship song lodged in my mind. I have never heard it sung at a church service since...
Until Sunday night when I opened a Whatsapp group to find a link to this song sitting there. Someone else knew it!! I played the song with a smirk on my face, marvelling at the 80s vibe. However, as I sat & listened I couldn’t believe the relevance of the words of this old song.
I was caught by these lyrics: “Now this is not a phase that is passing. It’s the start of a new age to come.” And bizarrely I’ve been playing this track several times a day since because it’s become my prayer & hope in these days.
So if you forgive the 80s video, here it is. “I hear the sound of rustling in the leaves of the trees.” Enjoy!
