The news reports came out yesterday and many, like me, who grew up in the 1980s listening to the smooth, powerfully soulful voice of Whitney Houston were shocked. Whitney Houston - Dead at age 48.
In 1985 when her debut album "Whitney Houston" was released I was in high school. This album sold millions and spawned hit after hit such as "Saving All My Love for You", "How Will I Know", and "Greatest Love of All". The music world and fans knew that Whitney Houston had arrived and would make an impact for years to come.
For a while it seemed to be the case. More hit records, such as her second album "Whitney" which released in 1987 solidified her standing in the music world and ensured she would be no one hit or "one album" wonder.
She faced criticism following her pop music success. According to AP Music writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody, her foray into the pop music world left some believing she had sold out her black roots to reach white audiences. She was even booed during the Soul Train Awards in 1989.
Houston stated in a 1996 interview with Katie Couric, "Sometimes it gets down to that, you know? You're not black enough for them. I don't know. You're not R&B enough. You're very pop. The white audience has taken you away from them."
The inner turmoil, sometimes spurred by public perception seemed to be getting to her even then.
Most know how Houston's story began to shift. She had ups and downs. She found love with musical "bad boy" Bobby Brown and they wed in 1992. Their marriage was a popular celebrity gossip story. The wedding shower for Houston featured friends and relatives such as Dionne Warwick, Jasmine Guy and Gospel singer CeCe Winans. The news stated the gifts as being "contradictory" with the strangest item being a Bible given by Winans.
Houston and Brown stayed together for a number of years. They had one daughter, Bobbi Kristina. Their marriage became tabloid fodder and with stories of domestic abuse as well as alcohol and drug use, the pop princess soon became the butt of comedians' jokes and just another subject for celebrity voyeurism.
Houston's story is tragic. Her beautiful voice was changing due to alcohol and drug use. No longer were the high notes hit smoothly. While her 2009 hit "Million Dollar Bill" was good and album "I Look to You" sold millions of copies, it was obvious that the voice just wasn't quite the same. Yet, there was a sense of hope for her fans. Maybe Whitney was coming back?
Then, the news from yesterday. Even though the ups and downs of Houston's public and "almost" private life had been known for years, the fact this 48 year old woman was dead was shocking. While no cause of death has been released, speculation is that it was drug or alcohol related. I hope this is not the case.
The death of Houston is especially shocking to people of my generation.
All around the nation men and women in their 40s (like me) look to this and are reminded once again of their own mortality.
No one likes to talk about death.
Most people do not like to attend funerals.
Consequently, we are most often surprised by death. Life seems to roll on as routine until a death notification comes. Houston's death impacts many, but mainly as a "I can't believe she's dead" moment. There is concern and prayers should be offered for her family, especially her daughter, during this time. However, most of us will respond by listening to some Whitney Houston songs, maybe Redbox will restock "The Bodyguard" or "The Preacher's Wife" for rental, but by and large, most fans will just get back to living their own lives.
Life moves fast.
So fast that a woman in her twenties that hit the pop scene seemingly just a couple of years ago is now no longer here. Could this be the woman who wowed the world with the best rendition of the Star Spangled Banner ever at a televised sporting event during the 1991 Super Bowl? Sadly, yes.
Therefore, a generation of 40-somethings are forced to think about death.
So, I am taken back to the wisdom of Solomon as expressed in Ecclesiastes 7.
Ecclesiastes 7:2-4(ESV)
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Funerals and surprising death notices serve to remind us that no one, not even popular celebrities, are promised tomorrow. "The living will lay it to heart" - this means we recognize that each day is a gift. Each relationship is important. Each moment matters. We are only here for a little while.
While I have no idea about Houston's spiritual life, her untimely death serves as another great reminder to us that putting off for tomorrow that which should be done today is foolish.
Some are putting off thinking and dealing with Jesus Christ until later.
The love and grace of God and chance at life that has been offered is here now. I pray for those who are waiting until tomorrow to get things "right with God." I pray for you if you have not considered your life at this level.
James 4:14(ESV)
Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Whitney Houston's story is so very sad. I pray for her family. I also pray that her startling death will serve as a reminder to all of us of the fragility of life and that God offers hope. He offers life. He offers a way. That way is Jesus Christ alone.
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