A Wise Father

One day a boy named Isaac Watts was walking home with his dad from church. Isaac began to complain about the music. At the time (late 1600's), music in the church was sung without instruments (they were considered worldly) and only the psalms could be put to music. Being the wise man that he was, Isaac's dad responded in a way all of us can learn from. He said, "Son, why don't you mend the matter?" In other words--write some music of your own.

The rest is history. Isaac went on to write over 500 hymns, some of which can still be heard today (one of his famous hymns is When I Survey the Wondrous Cross). His hymns quickly spread throughout New England. They initially caused a large upheaval (new music always has throughout history!); however, they went on to inspire many Christians through the ages to express their worship to God.

So the next time you hear someone (especially your children) complaining about music in the church, take a lesson from Isaac Watts' dad. Don't react and lash out defensively. Instead, encourage them to write their own songs. Imagine if Mr. Watts would have responded differently?