The Sad Passing Of A Song Bird

I join maybe millions of others who were shocked at the sudden untimely death of mega Singing star Whitney Houston. Who could forget the most incredibly strong, passionate and perfect voice of this beautiful woman taken at age 48. There will I am sure be enquiries, inquests and investigation. The truth will I am sure come out. But there is one thing I would say and I believe this to be true, that her life and in fact her once magnificent voice was forever compromised by the use of drugs. And I would say at the point it started to go downhill was the day she met her now ex husband Bobbie Brown. I can only go by what I read but from the many accounts I read  to call him a drug addled low life , would not be too far wrong.

So forces of light meets forces of darkness. Evil has sadly in this case taken the life of a person who was revered and looked up to by so many. Especially women.

Aretha Franklin, Shirley Bassey, Dionne  Warwick ( related) are just names of great Black women singers with the most incredible voices …and Whitney Houston was right up there with them.

Sadly she will be remembered  for all the wrong reasons…..how she died rather than how she lived.

Yes, she had some amazingly beautiful songs that she will be remembered for…..

“I will always love you “,  ”I wanta Dance with Somebody ” (Who Loves Me) and “Saving All my Love For You  ” and the Global Blockbuster Movies “The Bodyguard” and “The Preachers Wife “.

These were Love songs that embellished the joy of living, being in love and enjoying life.  And yet if you see the concert ( in Melbourne Australia) where disappointed fans were openly hostile in her dismal attempt to sing , or when you see the Oprah  Television show where Whitney Houston openly confessed to heavy usage of Marijuana and Cocaine.

An untimely death was inevitable. The 15 years of abuse she received from her then Husband ( 1992 to 2007) had taken its toll.

Maybe I live in too much of an idealistic dream, as one that doesn’t ( hasn’t ) Smoked , taken drugs, or drunk alcohol ( other than a glass of wine once or twice a year) ….maybe I am out of touch with reality.

But If I had such an incredible talent I would never want to do anything to destroy or damage that talent.  Maybe the problem is that few people acknowledge God for that gift or talent. They take it for granted. They don’t value it as a priceless treasure. And few give God the Glory for it by using such a gift to sing his Praises.

In Whitney’s case the singing in Church Choirs didnt go beyong childhood , and the faith didn’t transition into living for God everyday.

There are many who I could name that have saddened me….but I must say who am I to judge….I am sure  God will be  just as disappointed with me and my many failings.

So what can we learn from the passing of this beautiful Song Bird?

We I am sure will get  ”over it ” . Today’s Headlines  will be come tomorrows forgotten news. Every time we hear the songs or watch the movies, flash backs of memories of Saturday 12th February ( LA time) will come to the forefront of our minds.

May you ( and I ) press closer to God through his word….for it is the truth.May the following words be encouraging for you today.

Seek good and not evil,

That you may live

So that the Lord of hosts will be with you

As You have spoken

Hate Evil , Love Good.

Amos 5: 11.

As a final postscript…..many years ago as a child I came across a young boy of similar age to me who had a sling shot , and was aiming at the birds on the telephone lines. Fortunately he was a poor shot and the birds were pretty safe. I asked him which birds he was aiming at ….and his reply was the ones that sing. Why I asked….His answer  ” because they make more noise than the others” . I said “but they are the birds that are the most happy ” …..he didnt answer me….

Maybe the so called ” friends” of Whitney  Houston could reflect on what their actions through feeding her drugs….was like this boy wanting to silence the once  most happiest songbird that our generation has seen.

I will write again soon.

Lindsay Walker

13th February 2012.