Why couldn’t I?
I couldn’t possibly start a new career in my thirties, one in which I had no prior experience. I could never record an album. I could never go and sing in front of people and share my testimony.
Those were just words, but they were excuses stuck in my mind, playing over and over – seducing me into complacency, accepting the status quo, saying NO to God.
Why couldn’t I – just because I carpool?
Why couldn’t I – just because I’m in my thirties?
Why couldn’t I – just because I live in MN?
Why couldn’t I – just because I didn’t grow up going to church?
Why couldn’t I – just because, just because, just because …
God isn’t a God of excuses – He’s not a God that says,
Ok, I’ll come back when you’re ready – I’ll come back when
you’ve got it all together and you have free time. No, He asks
you to go even when it’s inconvenient, He asks you to go
or do or be when it’s improbable, when it’s scary,
when the world says it’s impossible -
Whether you go or do or be is up to you … but He’ll
ask just the same.
And when you know the answer is yes, even when
your life is saying no, that’s when you go -
that’s when you go and say yes to God.
“God is most thrilled with us when we are most satisfied in Him” – John Piper
I think about that a lot – being satisfied. It’s a contentment issue really, isn’t it – Phillipians 4: 12,13 says “I have learned the secret of being content in any situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” – EVERYthing through Him who gives me strength
God didn’t come to make a way for just a few people; He didn’t show up so an elite group could preach the gospel. He said “GO and make disciples of ALL NATIONS.” You can be ready to teach and preach, you can have a lot of answers, but you first have to GO … that takes action
As a follower of Christ, we can’t sit stagnate in our faith … we can’t
sit idly by while the last, the lost and the least aren’t being reached out to.
I was talking to my 10 year old daughter and we were discussing God’s name -
G-O-D. I had said that 2/3 of the word God is GO and we were talking about that. In the next breath, my daughter piped up and said 2/3 is also DO. I was struck by how right she was – isn’t that what God calls us to accomplish in the Great Commission?
If we’re truly following Christ, we need to be moving – we need to GO AND DO.
So this year, I knew my answer was YES and though my life and the world was saying NO, or ARE YOU SURE?, or ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!, I went …
And, I’m still going and doing things that I never dreamed of, taking on challenges I never expected. And, I’m not done saying YES yet.
What are you saying YES to?
don’t you see them?
an outstretched hand reaches for compassion
tear-filled eyes look for a place to belong
empty stomachs cry loud for filling
a weary body aches to rise up strong
they are sons and daughters, in every state, in any town
a brother or sister needing comfort – don’t you see them standing ’round?
we pass by with hope to offer
we keep our faith tucked safe inside
we turn the other way and just ignore the silent cries
Christ died for your family, He came for neighbors & friends,
But He also died for the worn and weary, for those at the very end.
Remember a time you were wanting, think of a day that you had none.
Now, look at all your plenty and remember what Christ would have done.
Why it’s cool that I have an album
A lot of people make music for a living and a lot of people have put out albums, CDs, EPs, singles, etc. Depending on the style or the flavor of the day, it seems anyone can do it. So, why is it a big deal that I, too, have released an album – specifically a contemporary Christian CD? Why does it matter?
It matters because NO ONE saw it coming – not my friends, not my family – not me. No one, but God, that is. He woke something up inside of me and things haven’t been the same since.
1. I started this adventure a year and a half ago (not working on the album, but writing songs and singing – I know, crazy right?!)
2. From writing to recording and releasing, the process took 5 months (& 5 trips to Nashville) – quick by a lot of standards
3. I didn’t grow up singing in choirs – I was a jock
4. I didn’t grow up going to church – I was baptized at 18 & confirmed at 22
5. I do not read music, nor do I play an instrument
6. I am a stay-at-home Mom of 3, living in Minnesota
7. I had never written a full song before last year
8. I started singing at women’s shelters, fundraisers and prayer gatherings
9. I held songs & melodies in my head, until a friend helped me record the raw vocals
10. I met an amazing musician, told him my story & he offered to produce my album (yes, just. like. that.)
11. the musicians who played 0n, co-wrote & produced the album, have worked with Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, Chris Tomlin, Mark Schultz, Kenny Loggins, Kathy Troccoli and a LONG list of other spectacular singers, songwriters and musicians
12. I had never set foot in a studio or recording booth until this year
13. I never dreamed this big of a dream
14. this is ONLY the beginning, all by the grace of God
15. I pray every day to have the faith and courage to follow in obedience where He’s calling me to go
