Music to Match (Kaitlyn Plohetski)

Do you ever just feel a song? Have you ever thought a song was perfectly tailored to a specific instance in your life? For me, it is a resounding yes to both questions. Particularly while abroad, my experiences beautifully and perfectly equate to specific songs.

I can't make you feel what I feel, nor can I guarantee you will like my taste in music. But to help you experience what I am attempting to express, I have included the songs I reference throughout this post (just click the name of each song). I hope that by hearing the music, perhaps you can develop a deeper understanding of my experiences.

One of my earliest experiences relating to music here occurred on our group excursion to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. To better understand the life of early English monks, especially St. Cuthbert, we drove to this beautiful island. It is a sacred place, where Saint Cuthbert roamed and a great priory overlooked the North Sea. The little island was stunning, enriched with history and the feeling of sanctuary. While here, I and few other members of the group sat on a scraggly little rock hill eating our lunches. As we scanned the landscape we could not keep from humming the song “Castle on a Hill” by Ed Sheeran. As I mentioned in my personal blog (cupofteawithkp.weebly.com), the lyrics perfectly match, as our scraggly rock sat adjacent to a hill where Lindisfarne Castle was perched. The song is not just about seeing a castle; it is about the feeling of home, of sanctuary. Lindisfarne, while not a home now, brought this peace and sanctuary to everyone. Among the expanse of the clear sky, even getting pelted by the gusty wind, I was comfortable on top of that little rock, by my own castle on a hill.

Similarly, I felt music while the group was in Edinburgh, Scotland two weekends ago. In Edinburgh we all got soaked from the weather. We were cold and damp, not to mention exhausted, from walking around town. Personally, I felt a bit defeated because I felt I should have been out exploring the city but just did not have the energy. We resigned ourselves to returning to the hostel to do some reading, studying, listening to music, and relaxing. We stripped off our damp clothing, replaced it with comfortable, dry apparel, and gathered in the hostel kitchen. While we sat, just chatting and doing our work, the song “Brother” by NEEDTOBREATHE featuring Gavin DeGraw began playing. The chorus says, “Brother, let me be your shelter, I’ll never leave you all alone. I can be the one you call when you’re low.” When the weather stinks, when the day drags on, when the world is worn down, the people you love are still there for you. While I sat in the kitchen of the hostel, I sat with friends reveling in the peace of companionship, with warmth and security provided by laughter and love.

Many other instances are associated with various tunes. “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles represents my time overlooking the ports of Liverpool. The song “30,000 Feet” by Ben Rector encompasses my flight back to York after a weekend in Spain with a couple friends. I felt the cheer from the melodic tune of “Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson while I meandered through the Shambles market in York one clear, warm afternoon. I could go on and on about what songs match how I feel.

Instead, I’ll leave you with one final song to consider: “Amazing Grace”. The hyperlinked version is one of my favorite versions of this song (even though it is specifically from a Christmas album) because it is simple and just feels organic. No matter who performs it, Amazing Grace is the perfect summary of our semester in York. Through struggles and strife, through the triumphs and victories, through the good and the bad alike, God’s grace has guided us and shown us the way. I am so incredibly thankful for this journey He has placed us all on, and I can only hope that the music keeps on playing as the semester continues. If you’d like to follow along on this journey with me, check out my personal blog cupofteawithkp.weebly.com

Cheers,

Kaitlyn