“Voice” Lessons
“Erica, you have to listen to this,” I heard the director say as I walked in the room.
A young teen stood, center stage, belting out her solo in preparation for the upcoming service.
I acknowledged the man as I directed my eyes to the stage.
A few seconds passed as I looked over to find him staring, intently, awaiting a response.
“She’s great, I replied,” as a wrong note painfully squeaked through the microphone.
My face, however, forgot to conceal my internal struggle for perfection.
He proceeded to defend the young singer, listing her stats as if to change my perception.
“She is doing great,” I tried again, secretly hoping this conversation would end.
In my mere twenty years of existence, I didn’t comprehend that this moment - this singular point in time, would serve as the catalyst for future ministry.
Pressing fast forward a few years, I looked into the faces of eager young students anticipating my approval, following their performance.
I need to pause for just a moment to fill you in on something I neglected to mention.
After college, I exclaimed I would NEVER hold the following positions:
Work with the elderly
Teach children
Apparently God has a sense of humor, because I had just come from two years in Lynchburg, VA, where I was employed by an agency designed to assist shut-ins.
A job, I must add that expanded my knowledge and genuine love for people.
Ok, back to 2005…
This new role that appeared out of no where, or so I thought, was teaching music to grade-school children.
The very humans I vowed never to serve were quickly becoming my greatest adventure.
Inquisitive, genuine, young people eager to soak up the knowledge I was tasked to instruct.
Don’t get me wrong we had a few hiccups and I sent a class or two back early when I couldn’t seem to capture their attention.
But for the most part, I was elated with this new assignment.
So much so that I decided to offer after-school voice lessons.
The first couple years, I added thirty students to my roster, from age five to fifty. Each willing to learn the correct pronunciation of vowel sounds, posture, and diction.
I’d never known such joy as I watched faces light up with understanding as I used unconventional methods to explain my favorite subject.
As students filtered through my doors, I recognized that God had given me a unique opportunity.
A chance to not only improve their musicality, but I was beginning to have an impact on developing character.
Lessons on overcoming fear (Psalm 34:4), relying on Christ‘s strength (Philippians 4:13), and glorifying God above all (Psalm 115), flowed from my lips.
They became my battle cry.
Looking back, I am humbled to note that the same message, words meant to encourage my students, would later be used to shape my faith.
As a loving father, God, carefully spoke these truths to my heart in the face of adversity.
I didn’t keep track of that young girl preparing for Sunday services or the man who showered her with praise.
Nevertheless, I hope to convey my gratitude for the impact that moment had on my growth journey.
In every season, hold firm to thankfulness, dear reader. For the lessons learned within, may just be God’s way of drawing you closer to Himself.
