Sing Sweet Songs

Recently my sister posted a song written in the early 1990s to her Facebook page. The song was written by Judianne Castle, and her 3-year-old daughter Amy sang it. The song is usually referred to as "You're My Honey Bunch" or "The Cuppy Cake Song." As soon as I heard this song, I knew I had to memorize it. It's a catchy tune that is sure to make every soul smile. Within about 20 minutes I had it. So I tried it out on your Daddy. I think at first he may have thought the song was goofy, even annoying, but now, he asks me to sing it to him. When I do, I can see the stress completely drain from him. It's amazing to watch. It's like warmth and peace take over where the strains of the day used to be. When I shared this with a friend last week she said, "It's his Soft Kitty song." We both giggled when she said it, because she was correct in her comment. The Big Bang Theory television show fans are familiar with the song Sheldon Cooper's mother would sing to him when he was sick. It was the song that made everything okay. For me it's when your Daddy sings "You Are My Sunshine," the song his grandfather used to sing all the time.

Stress is an everyday occurrence. In today's culture, it seems you cannot be in the workforce unless you are completely stressed out. I do not think that is as God intended, but that is certainly how it's grown. We are supposed to work, and work hard, but not to the breaking point. And it seems more and more employers are attempting to squeeze every last drop of creative energy from their employees until they have nothing left to give, piling on more and more as workforces are scaled back.

So it's the norm, but that doesn't make it easy to deal with. You both will have stresses. We all know the culinary business is high stress (many drink or smoke to deal with it). And the sports industry is likewise stressful, as Anton is sure to see. The news business certainly is, as is being a pastor. It's just the way it is. So the question is, how do you deal with it? And you certainly need to because stress is the cause of so many different physical ailments, that if you don't deal with it, you're asking for trouble.

Smoking, drinking and eating are not appropriate responses to stress. They will only compound the health problems. Exercise is known for its stress relieving qualities, not to mention health benefits. Taking time to be in prayer, a devotion time, can breathe new life into a stressed soul. Remember that the Lord said he will take all our burdens for us (1 Peter 5:7). Soft music, a humorous show, saying "no" to extra things, communicating, a bubble bath, taking a walk, getting fresh air, a round of golf, window shopping, a massage, immersing yourself in a fun hobby, taking a vacation, hugs and making sure to get enough rest time are all excellent ways to let the stress melt away. So be sure to consciously make the effort to deal with stresses of life in a "soft kitty" way. Otherwise you could take out those stresses on one another, and you certainly don't want to do that. Be sure to support one another in each other's stress relieving methods. It may even be something you enjoy to do together.

And perhaps find that "Cuppy Cake" song to sing to one another that brings you sweet peace.

Discussion: What stresses you out? What are things you like to do to take away the stress? Do you have a "Cuppy Cake" or "Soft Kitty" song that takes the stress away?

Prayer: Father, we know that you are the bringer of peace and we pray when we get stressed out that we know just whispering Your name brings comfort to our souls. Help us to support one another when we are de-stressing. In the sweetest name of all, Jesus, Amen.