There is a Balm from Memphis

Anyone who knows me that I came away from our Memphis honeymoon obsessed with Elvis Presley.* How can you help it? Elvis is everywhere in Memphis. Our soundtrack for driving around town was the album 'Elvis in Memphis'. Anytime I hear the words "I had to leave town for a little while/You said you'd be good while I's gone" it takes me back to one of the best weeks of my life. The only reason that album is not still in my car is that it got mistakenly carried out with some other CDs. Truly, it is a masterpiece.

Now I always considered myself primarily a fan of heavy metal music. Whenever I was angry or upset, I would grab some Cradle or Dimmu Borgir and turn it up loud. I swear, it used to calm me down! But now, when I am about ready to lose it I toss in some Elvis. Whether it is C.C. Rider, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Suspicious Minds, or In the Ghetto there is something about that voice that soothes my troubles like honey soothes a sore throat.

I have read up on Elvis and yes, I know he was kind of weird. I don't endorse his bizarre personal life or his habits. Yet everything I have read about the man suggests that Elvis spent a lot of time wondering 'Why me?' Why did God make Elvis...Elvis? He struggled with this his whole life. Some even claim that for a period Elvis thought of becoming a preacher, but a preacher friend of his told him that God meant for him to use his gift of singing. Well, I don't know that I can verify that story, but I can testify that there is a lot of good in that voice. Hearing Elvis sing gospel songs makes me a staunch believer in 'common grace', that God bestows his gifts on the regenerate and degenerate alike. Only God knows what has in Elvis Presley's heart...but as for his voice, I am convinced it was one of God's greatest gifts.

*This is really funny considering that while Jenn and I spent 2 hours looking for a friend chicken joint we saw on the Travel Channel, we decided not to go to Graceland. Granted, we were both not feeling the greatest that week and didn't get off to an early enough start to go to all the places we wanted. We did drive by the Graceland parking lot in the shuttle bus that goes the Heartbreak Hotel. At least we got to see the Lisa Marie!