Reflecting

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 ESV

I am reminded today of the importance of teaching our children how important our faith in song is. I, like many other parents, know that our children don't all learn on the same level. In fact, not even all adults learn on the same level. Some learn with their hands, some by reading, some are auditory learners, and some, by my favorite, learn by music.

I remember having to learn as a young parent how to teach Ian how to talk and say things that the doctors said he would never say. I did the only thing I knew how to do....I sang to him. I was patient, yet determined. I was kind, but firm. We sang all the time. One of my most favorite moments yesterday was watching a video with him of our first moments where he learned a song. Most of his toddler years were spent singing everything he knew. Others laughed, because it was funny. :) But, I knew that one day, this would get him where he needs to go in life. I am amazed at how far he has come. I didn't pay for therapy, I just mothered him the only way I knew how.

I think that is one of the reasons I find passion and joy in teaching other kids to sing. I'm not the greatest singer...I just love to make music. I love to see the joy in the hearts of children when they find a voice within them that they are comfortable with. With that comes strength & courage to conquer new and exciting things. Believe me, if you can get up in front of people at that age and sing, you will conquer great things later in life. But, it's not just about singing, it's about what song you can find in your heart. When I can't find the strength to do anything else, I sing.

This year we are approaching 5 years of teaching children to sing praises to God. Thinking about that today, I added up all we have done and it blows my mind. I have taught 91 children, taught 103 songs, presented 62 songs, taught 43 kids at workshop (only 16 of those from MDCC), kids recorded on 1 adult CD, kids recorded an entire CD, kids ministered in song to the elderly, kids sang Christmas Carols, and maybe something else that I haven't thought of.

I look at this and think wow! Or...I think I should be really tired! :) It excites me. This is what puts a smile on my face.

I am reminded in Isaiah 54:13 "All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children." I love this verse because it reminds me that I am merely a vessel. I am doing nothing spectacular. He is using me to communicate His word and His song to these kids. I often wonder if there has ever been a time that teaching these kids has kept them around. I wonder if what we do with this makes a difference. I wonder if these kids will be having a rough time someday and remember the words of Blessed Be Your Name or Mighty to save or You Never Let Go. Or, if they've ever had a moment where they want to sing Shout Hallelujah, or Shine Jesus Shine. I think if that is one small thing we can accomplish, we might be doing something good.

I once remember looking out into a congregation where some children were not smiling, were not engaged, and definitely would not sing. Today, I sit in a congregation listening to the little voices overpowering the adults as they sing praises and worship to God. I wonder....what it sounds like to Him?

I'm a nobody

I'm a nobody! Who I am and what I am makes no difference to anyone. Why worry with wanting to feel important, or special? Why try to be anything more than I am....a nothing, a nobody.

Some of my most favorite people in the world are those that are not in the spotlight. Those that are meek and quiet. I am most comfortable around them and their silence. They allow this nobody to just.....be. why? Because they are nobody too....and they aren't striving to be somebody.

I'm not the person that I want to be. But, I'm exactly the person He wants me to be. I still have so much work to do on me. I'm glad He has patience working with me and glad He allows me to fail to I can start over.

I may not be somebody to those I try so hard working to impress. I'm still a sombody who's a nobody to the only one who made me who I really am, and that's somethin!!!