As I write this blog post, I'm taking the preacher hat off... there, I sat it down on the table.  Now, I'm just plain ole Gregg Potts, a Christian who is hurting a little and has learned some valuable things this week. 
     My Dad has Parkinson's and for the past year, his health has been declining...rapidly.  Earlier this week, I spoke with one of his physicians and the real possibility of nursing home came up. I hadn't planned to come to Louisiana this week but, Monday night I began to realize I needed to drive home.  So, I've driven & had time to think. 
     As a preacher, I admit, I'm normally partial to the spoken word... I have always enjoyed listening to a good sermon.  When I travel, I would often take CD's of sermons or download some on ipod.  I particularly like good stories.  Driving down the road, I would listen to sermon after sermon and my spirits would rise.
     But this week, I brought sermons but haven't listened to one.  Instead, I've done nothing but listen to music.  And, primarily country music.  Again... remember... when I started this blog post.. I took my preacher hat off so I'm being transparent here. 
     As I have driven down the road listening to country songs.. I have listened to the lyrics more.  Many of the songs are written by hurting people... and the lyrics are real.  As I have listened, I have identified with them.  It's amazing, but music has been a friend. 
     Sometimes, I like upbeat stuff.  As I've driven... w/the cruise control set.. ,,my feet have moved around on  the floor-board of the vehicle... I've sung at the top of my lungs!  And, it felt good. 
       I listened George Strait sing "Write this down..." 
       I've listened to Garth Brooks sing "I've got friends in low places.." 
       I've listened to Hank Jr. sing "Born to Boogie." 
       I've listened to David Murphy sing "Tonight I'm Looking For A Party Crowd."
      And, I've listened to some music that's written from heart-ache.. I know I have but I honestly can't recall any titles right now so I can't list any examples.
      And, music.. specifically, country music has been a friend this week.  When I've been down, I've gotten my ipod, gone to the workout room of the hotel, plugged my ipod in & walked & sang.  It's good therapy.... for me.
      This morning, I was evidently singing so loud, the hotel manager walked by the work-out room & and a hotel employee was walking down the hall and they said they heard me.  lol  We all had a laugh.
     I love Elvis music.  When Elvis received an award  in 1970 he said;
     "When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies and I was the hero in the movie. So every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times...I learned very early in life that: ‘Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain’t got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend - without a song.' So I keep singing a song.”
     This week, the song has been a friend.