I Finally Sang, And It Was A Big Deal

There Are Still Good Parts of Your Story Yet To Be Written

It was a big deal. Even bigger than the actual experience. The deeper significance of what happened this past weekend was profoundly meaningful.

When I was invited to join a friend’s church for their annual musical outreach event as the featured vocalist, I immediately said yes, even before asking any details. It had been since before the pandemic that I had done any concerts and I could feel it in my bones that it was time to return to singing.

See, all the traveling and doing concerts around the country I had done for a decade was very challenging, and I wasn’t aware of how much so until the Great Break. (I wrote about it here in: “I’m Finding My Voice Again.”) I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d ever do live music again.

It was last fall when the call came, and I was working on a new song, writing and recording “Jesus Kind of Love,” and hoping it would be a joy-filled experience. It was, exceedingly so. I decided to definitely keep moving forward into whatever new experience of doing music was in store.

Performing this past weekend with the talented group from Evangel Church in Rochester, MN was a lot of work for everybody, but it went tremendously. I was asked to sing three songs as part of their “Fully” program, and I also sang two of my own songs in the Sunday am services. I was reminded… (this might sound weird) that yes, indeed, I am still a singer. And there’s great joy that goes along with having the opportunity to inspire people emotionally and spiritually. I was reminded that, possibly, I was created specifically to do this. And that there is still great joy yet to experience.

FOR YOU: Hold on to hope—even if you feel you’ve reached the end, there’s still good parts of the story yet to be written. ❤️

some selfies from rehearsal

From Recliner To Stage

(I’ve never written about this…but here goes.) It is a bit jarring to go from my quiet, simple life to literally being “in the spotlight.” I am an extrovert, but I’m also an introvert I love being around people, but I also love peace and quiet. Being in a situation where you’re the featured performer is an incredible honor, but it also requires a different mindset. It’s a realization that people are watching you, that your kindness goes a long way to make people feel valued. It’s kind of like hosting a party, making sure everyone is having a good time, and then thanking people for coming.

It’s amazing to walk into a room knowing you have the opportunity to make people happy and feel valued. I am honored to have these chances, and honestly, this is how I want to live every day. Not just the special events. I believe you have this same opportunity—to make people feel valued, bringing joy and love into every room you enter.

I love people who compliment me, of course, who wouldn’t? But it’s unnatural, too. Imagine wearing a big hat when you went to the grocery store and everyone complimented you about your hat. You’d probably wear that hat a lot, wouldn’t you? But it’s easy to think that your hat is what defines you—what gives your life value and worth. Who am I without my hat? Affirmation can be very addicting, and learning how to maneuver it with humility and grace is tough work. I can’t do it unless I find my grounding elsewhere. (*I’m in process.)

One of the big takeaways for me from this weekend was this: Trust Your Instincts!

I’m a firm believer that God puts desires in our hearts to be a compass that leads us on the path we’re supposed to be on, not to get us to a particular destination, but to offer us a more beautiful journey. I hope you are inspired to live that way along with me!

What’s Next?

I have no clue. But I’m going to live adventurously, open-eyes and open-hands, walking through my days, listening to my heart and for wisdom from Above.

Thank you for being with me on this journey — I am super grateful for you.

Sidenotes:

1. Nearly every time I was about to go on stage, I was convinced I didn’t know any of the song’s lyrics I was about to sing. Not a pleasant feeling.

2. I think my hotel room had some mold because I woke up excited to sing Sunday morning and could barely breathe…or sing. It was like an asthma attack, I imagine. I drank a lot of water, and a couple antihistamines. And I don’t think anyone listening noticed a thing, unless you were at sound check. I’m still recovering though.

3. The best part of the weekend was connecting with people, hearing some of their stories during short moments of quiet, and seeing how much we all have in common.

4. This event was a fund-raiser for the Salvation Army and their work, together with Evangel, to feed the hungry in Rochester, MN. I’m glad to play a small part in helping out.

Here’s one of the songs I sang in the Sunday am services!