The memories when my mother, Irene, abducted me are fuzzy. Mom and I moved from place to place. She was always searching for a safe location. During this time of abduction, many traumatic events happened. Ironically, in her obsession to protect me, she caused much harm.
Her friends tell me that Irene was an active, cheerful person when she was young, but that was not the woman I knew. Something broke in my mom after I was born. She became consumed by her fear. Convinced my father was causing me harm, she ran away with me. Sometimes we stayed with her family. My father tried to find us. When he discovered our location, she would run away again.
Eventually, the state got involved. A court hearing took place and my father and his new wife gained custody of me. In the summer, I would stay with my uncle in PA so that I could see my mother. Even though my mother was mentally unstable, I still loved her and she loved me. I remember how she enjoyed singing, especially when she washed the dishes. She would sing to her Jesus and the tears would flow. My love for singing comes from her.
The songs stayed with me when I traveled back to my father. One of my favorite songs was, “I Just Keep Trusting My Lord” by John W. Peterson.
When I was nine, my father died, and a loud argument took place as to who should get custody of me. After the dust settled, my uncle became my legal guardian. Following my father’s funeral, I moved into my aunt and uncle’s home. I went from being the little sister to being the second to oldest among my four cousins. Life was never dull in our family of seven. I am very thankful for my aunt and uncle’s big heart in welcoming me into their family.
My love for music grew as I grew. When I was happy, I sang. When I was sad, I sang. I sang in church. I sang in the woods. I sang solos and I sang in choirs. I sang in the rain and on a train and in a box with a fox. . . you get the point.
Do you like to sing? Music is medicine for a troubled heart. What songs give you hope when you are going through a rainy season?
Thank you, God, for music. Thank you for the ability to sing to you even when our hearts are raining with tears. Help us to keep trusting you as we walk along the difficult path to wholeness.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Psalm 96:1-4
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
Tina Kramer finds her voice!
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