There is a fun piano duet piece that just about every beginning piano student learns. It’s called “Heart and Soul.” Most of these budding pianists have no idea that this composition actually has lyrics.
Heart and Soul, I fell in love with you
Heart and Soul, the way a fool would do
Madly.
I often take the words of love songs, and think about how they describe the love God has for me. And how I should be loving him.
My heart and soul live in harmony when they rest in his powerful love. But sometimes, my heart and soul are not united. I should belong to God completely, but I’ll find that I’m torn in two. That’s when the misery starts.
When I’m sad, my heart cries out in pain. My soul, belonging wholly to God, tries to balance this reaction with encouraging perfect trust. I struggle between the two sides. I try to hold on to faith through the hard times,
but i
t’s not easy living with these opposing feelings.
Turns out I’ve got company. There were two other guys who suffered with the heart and soul split.
My soul thirsts for God, the living God.
Psalm 42:2
King David knew his soul pined for unity with the Lord. He describes that desire as thirst, a beautiful comparison, easy to understand. So what’s getting in the way of his drinking with gusto at the feet of the Lord? You guessed it. His heart.
King David fell in love with someone else’s wife. We all know the story. In the end, he had his lover’s husband killed. Yikes.
A King, who declared his unending thirst for God, buckled under the fracturing desires of his heart.
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate, I do
Romans 7:15
We never find out what St Paul struggled with; we don’t what split him in two. But it’s probably better that way. We can all fill in that unknown with whatever we ‘hate’, but still do. Maybe it’s laziness or anger…it could be any number of things. They are the bugle call that starts the war with our souls.
Heart and Soul. King David, St. Paul and me. At times, we all suffer the painful separation; the pulling in opposite directions.
But I can take comfort in the repeating cycles of reconciliation in the lives of these great men. God never gave up on them. He constantly called them back, wanting David and St. Paul to continue working in the field. The Father never tired of renewing his grace.
The favors of Yahweh are not all past, his kindnesses are not exhaus
ted; every morning they are renewed…
Lamentations 3:22-23
I know I can count on this daily rebirth of God’s grace too. He will show me how I can stop the war inside. Then, I can fall in love with him, heart and soul. Just like a fool would do. Madly.
Isn’t it amazing that God never gives up on us, though time after time we don’t deserve it. His love is unconditional, for which I praise him.
Hi Elizabeth! It surely is a miracle that God keeps calling, even when I treat it like a wrong number! I know that his most powerful instruments also struggled, so there is hope for me.
We’ll praise him together, for his constant renewal of grace.
Happy Monday
Ceil
Good Monday morning, my friend.
Once again you have filled my heart and mind as I start the day. : )
Have a happy one!
Good Morning Dear! I am so happy to see your smiling face today. And I am glad you liked the post today. What a message of hope we have in our fathers in faith. That is a great thing to have in mind when starting the day (and the week!).
Blessings on your day today,
Ceil
I can so relate to this, Ceil. Thank you for the encouraging reminder that God not only never gives up on us, he also pursues us to bring us back to him.
Hi Pam! I like that image of being pursued. That’s a good thought, thank you for that! Not only does he keep calling us to start over, he’ll even come and get us. Personally.
I sometimes think he’s too busy to come after me, but really, I should know better. He is all about his children, like a good parent.
Have a blessed day, Pam
Ceil
I too, Ceil, struggle everyday with the heart & soul issues. But, being in the Word, does help. He knows our struggles and he knows are hearts and souls. I can trust in him to help me make the difficult choices & decisions. He will never steer me wrong…Blessings
Good Morning Linda! I agree, paying attention to Scripture does help, there is a lot of meaning and support there. But as I was reading at another blog, sometimes it’s hard to settle down with the Word when I am so torn. I have to work on that.
He will never steer us wrong. Now there’s truth!
Have a great Monday, my friend
Ceil
Where would we be without God’s grace? I, like you, are in need of it daily, Ceil. And some days I need it quite often. Thank you for so beautifully expressing that which was in your heart.
Hi Dear Dianna! May we always be in the Lord’s grace. I would be an even crazier, messier person than I am now without it, that’s for sure.
I hope you experience God’s blessings today
Ceil
Dear Ceil,
Thank you so much for your heart to me, and you have been in my mind and my prayers also. I have good news for you that you won the giveaway.
http://delvalinatuanger.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-winners.html
Talk to you soon.
Delvalina
Hi Delvalina! I went to your website and saw the photos of the drawing, I can’t believe it
Thank you so much for this fun experience. I have already sent you my address.
You know I am praying for your studies and graduation. Blessings to you and your family,
Ceil
Amen, Ceil. This is a super way to head off into this week. Counting on HIs grace and love. And falling head over heels in love with Him. Over and over again …
Have a good one, my friend …
Hi Linda! I am counting on the same things, my friend. May we all experience the loving inspiration of our God.
I went to your blog, and read the guest post there. Very fun! It must be very satisfying to find new and creative people.
Happy Monday!
Ceil
That internal war wages on doesn’t it Ceil? Have a blessed week!
Hi Wanda! No kidding. I guess that theme really hits home with me. I wish I was stronger spiritually…but I guess I will pray for that my whole life.
Nice to see you, Wanda
Ceil
Perhaps the reason we aren’t told the specifics of Paul’s struggles is that we are then free to insert our own struggles into that passage and to realize that, for us, too, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…”
Hi Linda! That was absolutely my take on that. Like I wrote, our problem could be anger or anything really. As long as we are trying, we’ll be ok.
I think we are both interested in that
Blessings to you Linda, looking forward to your travel pics!
Ceil
Ceil, you have blessed my heart yet again! I adore this song and have many versions on my playlist, and you have made it all the more special to me now! Rav Shaul (Apostle Paul) did indeed understand our failings, for I too do that which I hate, but I am learning how to break the cycle by being completely absorbed in His Word. Psalm 199:97 says ” How I love your Torah! I meditate on it all day.” He does desire us completely, heart and soul! Sweetest blessings to you, dear. Kelly
Hi Kelly! I just love your comments, you have such an interesting perspective. Dear Paul did know exactly what we go through every day, as he did the same.
We all need to meditate on Scripture, and believe what we see there! So much hope, so much reconciliation, so much love.
I have been thinking about you and your family too. Hope all is well with you
Ceil
I didn’t know those lyrics! ha.
“The Father never tired of renewing his grace.” Isn’t that a precious truth! So, so thankful for that. And thankful for you sharing it. It definitely makes it easier to fall in love with him heart and soul.
Hi Lisa! Oh I know. I think a lot of people aren’t aware that there are words to this old duet. So glad you saw something you liked in the post today. How else can I love him so much? He has to out-love me like crazy because I’m so full of fault.
Good thing he lives to do just that!
Blessings to you on this Monday,
Ceil
God never gives up on us, NEVER!
Such a good reminder for this season we are going in to. He’s got something bigger and better for his children. Hold on Girlfriend!
I hope you are having a wonderful morning Ceil!
It’s a busy one here today. I am so blessed to be able to attend a pot luck/ prayer moms conference for my homeschool group tonight. I think its going to be amazing! Let the outpouring of God’s Love (and Holy Spirit)begin!
Have a great day!
Hugs to you,
Amy
Hi Amy! I know as I write this you are at your meeting. I hope you are just filled with God’s love and his fellowship through your homeschool group
I will hold on! Things will definitely get better. Or as I read, I’m closer now to his blessings than I am today! I’ll learn better and better to love him heart and soul every day.
I had a good day, my friend. Thank you for sharing some of yours with me!
Ceil
Ceil, I didn’t know this had lyrics. I started piano long ago and then stopped. I could play by ear and didn’t see the point of learning to read the music when i was young and foolish. I wish I’d continued. I’m so grateful we have God’s love and grace to greet us every morning. Beautiful words, my friend.
Hi Kim! I think you are in good company! A few people didn’t know about the lyrics either
I took piano lessons as a child, but really don’t remember much at all anymore. I moved on to guitar and enjoyed that a lot more. (Altho it’s been a while since I’ve played)
Oh yes, I am grateful too for God’s grace and renewed love and reconciliation each morning. Where would I be without his constant love?
Hope you had a blessed day!
Ceil
Ceil, we are MOST DEFINITELY sister-friends! I’ve searched for meaning on this very thing several times. AND, wanna know what else? My mom and I used to play Heart and Soul as a duet all the time when I was growing up. That brought back lovely memories. Thanks.
Hi Nan! Isn’t it so beautiful to think about the lyrics as psalms? I love doing that, yes, we are sister-friends!
What a great memory of your Mom. My sisters and I would play this duet incessantly when we were all taking piano lessons. You would think it made everyone crazy, but it was actually great fun.
Good to see you here today! Hope you are still laughing!
Ceil
My parents used to play that song together on the piano. It was really cute. I never heard the lyrics, though.
A great lesson, Ceil. And you will know how much I needed to hear it today (thanks for your sweet comment on my blog, by the way). Sometimes my heart is so down-trodden. And there is a disconnect between it and the Truth that my soul knows.
That is when my soul must CLING to His promises. For I am, after all, in love with Him. Madly.
GOD BLESS!
Hi Sharon! I loved your post today, Sharon. And I am so glad that you can see some good in what I wrote here. We have to lift each other up, right? We all feel that disconnect at one time or another.
I think he likes to see us cling to him. Those he loves he chastises. I remember reading that and thinking, ‘Yay!’ NOT. But he wants us to want him only.
Blessings to you my friend!
Ceil
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. You have a lovely blog!!
I took piano lessons when I was a little girl and I remember learning that song. : )
Hi Happyone! How nice to meet you here today!
I think just about everyone has learned this simple, fun duet. I used to play it with my sisters
I am your newest follower,
Ceil
Ceil,
I was feeling a bit down all morning long but after reading this post I am feeling so much better and inspired.
Thank you.
Blessings to you
Hi Dear Margie! I am so glad that this post could help you today. I am always inspired by your poetry and writing too.
That disconnect between the heart and the soul can happen at any time. All we can do is be patient. He will soothe us in the way we need.
I hope you had a good today, Margie.
Ceil
I always find fove songs such a beautiful way to pray because I think of God singing love songs to me–and the two of us doing a duet!
Hi Sr.! I didn’t think of it as praying, that’s a great idea. Thanks! Love it! And especially the duet aspect.
Thanks for your visit today
Ceil
I truly need His grace and mercy every day! Thanks so much for sharing and reminding me today!
Hi Karen! Oh I agree with that. Every darn day. And he is always there.
Happy to share with you, and I love visiting you too
Ceil
Hello Ceil, I wish I could of learned an instrument when I was young. It is really funny that I have two different friends who our both musical and worship leaders. And I cannot read one note of music
But, I do wake up with a song on my heart most days!
Blessings, Roxy
Hi Roxy! What a great way to wake up in the morning! I think that’s the best music of all, don’t you? How interesting that you have two friends who are so musical…you are drawn to creative people, I bet.
Have a great Tuesday, my friend
Ceil
Beautiful post, Ceil! May we surrender our heart and soul to Him completely! I’m with you — great love songs remind me of His love for us. I enjoy rewriting these lyrics to give a Christian message and then sing them — my husband and I have choreographed dances to some of these recordings.
God bless,
Laurie
Hi Laurie! What a beautiful idea! And so many would recognize the music too. I bet you and your husband are really good dancers too.
May we all dance and sing our praises!
Blessings
Ceil
Great reminder! My Bible time today was reading about God’s love for us and then the first two blogs I read have devotionals about God’s love….I love how he loves us, and shows us His love so that we can show that same love to others. Love, love, love, love, love….I love it!
Hi Susan! Sounds like the Lord is after you today to remind you how much he loves you. Wonderful! I love it too. My heart and soul belong to him, he just wants me to offer it back to him.
Have a love-filled Tuesday
Ceil
Amen to this wonderful post, Ceil. (By the way, I never knew the words to Heart and Soul – til now!)
Hi Karen! It is a surprise to a lot of people. It’s such a common piece for piano, so few really know about the lyrics.
I am so happy that you liked the post today. It’s nice to see you again
Happy Tuesday!
Ceil
Beautiful Ceil!! Oh yes, that constant tug of war between our spirit-man and fleshly-man! Thank God for His mercies that are new for us EVERY.SINGLE.DAY!! Because of them, we’re not consumed! How awesome of a God we serve!
Blessings!
Hi Michell! I love your faith-filled comment today. We are loved by a gracious Father. He can’t wait to be united with us…I pray I will remember that each time I fall. There is hope and healing.
Thank you for your visit today. Have a great Tuesday!
Ceil
The title of your post caught my eye immediately since I have fond memories playing it with a sibling or friend on the piano growing up. Aren’t we so blessed to have the Sacrament of reconciliation! Praise God for giving us that step on the ladder to Heaven! Beautiful post, Ceil
Hi Patty! Isn’t it a fun memory? And there were a few ways to play it too, my sisters and I loved to improvise.
Amen! We are so blessed to have Reconciliation, a true way to make peace with our God. All our Father wants is for us to keep doing our best. Never enough, but always enough for him.
So happy you like the post today, my friend!
Ceil
Thanks for this encouragement, Ceil. It’s great to know I’m not alone in my struggle to keep my flesh under while falling more and more in love with Jesus every day.
Hi Jeanette! You are not alone at all…I have to fight my tug of war every day. But it does help us to fall in love every day, just like you mentioned. What a wonderful thing!
Thank you for visiting today. Have a great Tuesday
Ceil
Ceil, I loved this post. My pastor puts Bible verses to songs like that. What you shared reminded me of that. Thank you.
Hi Judith! Well, I guess your pastor and Laurie have something in common! I had not heard of this, but I love it. It really shows us how God’s word is really a love song to all of us.
So glad you liked what you read today. Thank you for your visit
Ceil
Ahhhh, the struggle we all deal with…heart and soul…but isn’t it wonderful that God loves US madly! Enough to die for us! That love that keeps drawing us back into His arms every time we stray away…such love I cannot comprehend…but am so very thankful it is mine all mine. Thank you for these thoughts today. I will never listen to that little song again in the same way!
Hi Pam! It is the eternal struggle, isn’t it? And our God is so faithful, never leaves and always invites back. We are the most blessed, aren’t we?
When you hear ‘Heart and Soul’ you can think about loving him ‘madly’!
Peace to you my friend,
Ceil
Ceil, wow, so beautifully written! Yes, may we walk before Him with undivided hearts and be fully devoted…heart and soul!
Praying sweet blessings for you!
Hi Kristi! Thank you for your lovely comment today. I join you in your prayer for unity in heart and soul. What a beautiful thing that is.
Blessings to you too, my friend!
Ceil
Ceil, I think this is something we all struggle with from time to time. I see it in myself and in my kids. Grateful for God’s love and grace, even when I struggle (and probably especially so)!
Hi Anne! The struggle goes on and on. Our whole lives really. I’m so happy that there are so many holy ones that went before me who felt the same things. Makes me feel like there is hope for me!
Hope you are all doing well at your house? I am always so glad to see you
Ceil
I love your love for Him.
Thank you for sharing it with me.
I used to play “Heart and Soul” on the piano (not the one-fingered version….the full version) when I was a girl. Love the song…and I love the analogy here.
Hugs to you,
Jackie
Hi Jackie! Wasn’t it a wonderful day when we met through blogging? I love meeting other writers with a heart for him.
I didn’t know there was a ‘one fingered version.’ But my sisters and I used to play this all the time. So much fun to improvise too.
Thank you for your supportive comments, Jackie. I really appreciate your kindness
Have a good evening!
Ceil
I am behind on my blog reading but glad I got to this. I can just hear my great aunt and cousin playing this all over again. So thankful for His grace and love for us, that He never gives up on us. I want to love the Lord with all my heart and soul.
Hi Mindy! I’m glad you were able to come by and find something you liked. What a great memory! I remember playing this with my sisters. So much fun.
Let’s give him our hearts and souls always!
Happy Thursday,
Ceil