Whitney Houston was found dead in a hotel bathtub a few days ago. Yes, all of America is talking about it. Everyone has an opinion on it. Some people think we shouldn't be so upset about it, because she has been "out of commission" for years now and was just a washed-up has-been. I have even seen the image at right on more than one of my Facebook friends' walls.
I'm sure they would say that I shouldn't still be thinking about Whitney Houston's death. I understand their point that maybe our nation shouldn't be grieving so much over one celebrity's death and not grieving over fallen soldiers.
Here's the thing that I'm thinking about though...
Whitney Houston did impact the world. She also impacted my life, and many others with her music. Whether I realized it at the time, she did. I heard her songs on the radio and sang along. Everyone in the country did. I was inspired to sing because she sang so beautifully it sounded easy.
I will always remember when she sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl in 1991. We were watching it in my parents basement, and we all sat there in complete silence because it was such a powerful performance and moment. I was just talking about it with Jeremy a few weeks ago, actually. (It is sadly so rare to find anyone now who can sing The Star Spangled Banner correctly, let alone well or beautifully. Kristin Chenoweth sang it at an NFL Playoff game recently, and I told Jeremy she was now in my top 3--along with Sandi Patty and Whitney.)
So, back to the reason I am still thinking about Whitney...
I am really sad that she and her talent are gone from our world. But that is actually something I have been sad about for years now, since her drug habit basically took her life and ability to function as she had before. I had hoped she would be one who could overcome addiction and come back to performing and inspiring, and apparently she tried. I cannot even imagine how difficult/impossible it is to overcome drug addiction. I have no frame of personal reference. But, rather than judging Whitney or hating her, I really feel sad that she didn't beat it.
I wonder...Does her addiction diminish what she did with her life before it got out of control? The songs and memorable performances are preserved (both digitally and in our minds) for us to review even though she has passed away. They can still inspire. That seems a gift she gave to the world.
It is undeniable that she was incredibly talented. That was a gift God gave her. She used that gift, for what I believe was good, and I am grateful to have been touched by her music and inspiration.
From what I have read, Whitney sought God even while she struggled with her addictions and troubles. I pray she had nothing separating her from Him when it was time for her earthly life to end, and that someday I will get to hear her singing praises to Jesus in heaven for eternity--and maybe even get to sing with her!
It has honestly frustrated me to see and hear the hateful and jealous comments people have said about Whitney's death not being significant. At times I have thought that if it were some professional athlete that had a great career then turned to a life's struggle with drug addiction and died, people would be mourning him/her without question. But then I realized that I probably wouldn't. So I have to be honest and say that I probably give more grace to Whitney because I identify with her as a singer and musician.
Celebrity is not a fair part of life. Once a person has achieved celebrity, opinion of that person is skewed. It doesn't matter if they are singers, athletes, politicians, businessmen, actors, reporters, whatever. We, the general public, don't see who they really are inside; we see what the media gives us. That is no frame of reference for us to judge. And we shouldn't be judging anyway.
All I'm saying is that I think it is really sad that Whitney Houston passed away. And, she may not have redeemed herself in the eyes of men before passing on. Fortunately, the Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. I hope Whitney's heart was clear and in tune with God. She touched my life and many others with a positive impact once upon a time.
