Hi! My name is Amarah. Kids are important to me, and they’re important to Jesus, too.

Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 (KJV), “Whatever you’ve done unto the least of these (kids), you’ve done it unto me.”

“Kids like me” are kids and adults of all ages whose parents are, or were, drug addicts, and alcoholics; kids who have suffered, or who are suffering, abuse and neglect on multiple levels; and kids who are victims of bullying.

Hey, kids like me! My friend, Mr. Randy Macy, is the most awesome pianist, ever, and I met him when I got to sing in the off Broadway play, “Opening Night” written by another special friend, Corliss Taylor Dunn! I asked Randy to tell you about himself and how he feels about music and its effect on kids/people in general. Today is Part 1:

The following memo used to hang in the second floor hallway of the music building at Adams State University:

To all music majors:

If we were a medical school and you were here as a med student practicing appendectomies, you’d take your work seriously because you would imagine that some night at 2:00 a.m. someone is going to waltz into your emergency room and you’re going to have to save their life.

Well, my friends, some night at 8:00 p.m. someone is going to walk into your concert hall and bring you a mind that is confused, a heart that is overwhelmed, and a soul that is weary.  Whether they go out whole again will depend partly on how well you do your craft. Karl Paulmack, Director of Piano Department, Boston University

Unfortunately many people go through life working in careers with no passion for their work.  Their work doesn’t nurture their spirits, and, in too many instances, it stifles their spirits. It can even go far beyond that, as a dream counselor once told me, “Your job is killing your spirit.”

We are spiritual beings. Our spirits need nurtured. Music is an art which possesses the ability to nurture our spirits in ways far beyond our comprehension. In the not too distant past there was no concept of music therapy - now there are degree programs in major universities devoted to it. Music sometimes has the ability to heal where modern medicine cannot.

We are told that the second greatest commandment is to, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” What few “get” is the fact that in order to love thy neighbor one must love oneself first. Loving one’s self means taking responsibility for nurturing one’s spirt whenever and wherever possible.

To Native Americans all of life is sacred - there is no difference between the sacred and the secular. Those of us who are not Native American would do well to consider all aspects of our lives as sacred as well. Music has always played an important role in these cultures. If music has always played important roles in these spirit-based cultures it should also play an important role in ours if we are to nurture our spirits.

While listening to music is a way of nurturing one’s spirt, making music can nurture it even more. Although not everyone has the musical ability of Bach or Beethoven, those who have any musical talent or interest have a responsibility to nurture it - “do not hide your light under a bushel!” As a society, we also have a responsibility to help others nurture their spirits whenever possible.

Thank You, Randy! I’m so glad you discovered, developed, and are using the amazing musical Gift God gave to You! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings about music with me and with our readers! Stay-tuned for Part 2, next week!

And, thank you, everyone, for reading my column. Write to me at Amarah’s “Kids Like Me” P.O. Box 354, Alamosa, CO 81101. If you know a kid like me, or parent, who is an addict/alcoholic, please tell him/her about “Amarah’s Corner, Kids Like Me” in the Valley Courier. Tell them to contact me, or you can contact me on their behalf. If you know a kid like me, or parent, who doesn’t have a Bible, but wants one, please, contact me. I’ll make sure he/she gets a Bible, “…and all the earth may know there is a God…” (1 Samuel 17:46, KJV).

Amarah’s “Kids Like Me” offers non-denominational World Bible School (WBS) Bible Correspondence Courses (free/postage paid) in English/Spanish to kids like me (ages 8-12), their parents, and even if you’re not a kid like me! Teens/adults take the WBS Master Series Courses so if you would like the WBS Courses, send your name/age/address and I’ll get you started ASAP! I hope to hear from you soon!

My goal is to help kids like me, and I want to help their parents, too. Until next time, remember, Jesus Loves You, and JESUS IS LORD!