Thank-you Lord

Thank-you Lord for your wonderful peace. Thanks for always answering our prayers. Thanks for allowing us to serve you in our families, the church and with others. Thanks that tonight you have allowed us to sing in a group home where those who are in need will rejoice and be uplifted by the music intended to bring you glory. So many of these dear ones have no family so let us be just the inspiration they need to know they are most certainly not a lone in this world. Let them know that they are in our hearts and our prayers, not soon forgotten. May you fill them with the fullness of Jesus and may they bless the ones who live there and do not yet know you.

They Grow Up

Just about the time your kids are finally grown, you realize you could have cherished the days so much more than you did. You could have stopped to smell the roses, breathe deeply when upset and trust more to live a simpler lifestyle. You could have spent more time and done more and not been so distracted. And yet, we live and learn so God gives us a second chance when we become grand parents. I don't have any grandchildren yet, but I hope to someday. I want to take the time to do all I can to build up the relationship. I pray everyday for my grandchildren who will join our family someday.

The Soloist

I am not a soloist. I adore singing in a choir. I also love singing in small groups which I used to do all the time when we attended small churches. For the last six years since we have been at a much larger church, the leaders won't let me sing in small groups. I have asked Kevin for six years if I could try doing it. It used to be important to me. Now, it is no longer important and finally an opportunity came up to sing with a group of three other women in a small quartet during one of our choir songs. I actually held a microphone and sung something very short with the ladies. Before we sang, we prayed together that doing this would not become a stumbling block for any of us. We prayed that we would be united to bring all the glory and focus to Jesus and not to ourselves. I believe the Lord answered our prayer. The Lord's presence was with me bringing me much joy. Am I a big star now? Am I any different for having done that? No, I was just thankful that my voice could be used for Him and His glory. I was grateful once again to be on the stage praising God. I could be out in the congregation praising God with just as much joy but because my husband directs the choir and I love everyone there so much, I want to share this experience with them. As always, singing with the choir was and continues to be one of my greatest joys. We sang, "Praise Him," with two drummers. It was indeed an amazing experience of creative worship through music.

The Lead Clapper

I have been working at a special needs center for adults for about ten months. When I first came, I met a man named Tom and all he would do was talk about clapping sessions....at camp or at the center. It was interesting until I had heard it a million times. He always asks who the lead clapper will be. I always say I don't know. There is something special about him. He is a sensitive person and I like him. I try to get him interested and involved in other things but he usually makes excuses about why he can't. He is a character. Today, I taught a music class all by myself and it was fun. I tried to keep Tom on task. We spoke about the musical, "The Music Man." When it was time to go to lunch, I had to push a wheelchair with a student in it, a blind man was holding my elbow and I had about four big bags to carry. I asked Tom to carry one small thing and he said he could not. It struck me as so funny. My lead clapper was letting me down. Here I was laden down with wheelchairs, people and things and he couldn't carry a one pound object! Sometimes we are like that....those around us are carrying all the burden and we turn down the little help they ask us for. Let us pray that the Lord would give us the desire and the ability to help.