Room for Improvement

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to direct the music in our zone's morning devotional during this month. I am certain that I will never be asked to do this again. This has been a humbling experience, to say the least. It has been waaaay out of my comfort zone! I can list the many reasons why, beginning with the fact that I can't read music, and what does a 6/8 pattern look like? Most of the hymns are all new to me, so it's always a surprise to hear the music and read the lyrics for the first time. Then, I have to stand up, in front of many eyes, and sing- and multitask with my arm, eyes, and mouth - all before 8 AM! Are you getting a fun visual yet? Wait, there's more!

September 6: First time directing music and the hymn was I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go. A 6/8! What to do? Swing my hand back and forth, 1-2, 1-2, 1-2, s-l-o-w-l-y. I was dragging everyone along, and I think they were praying that the song would end soon. My zone is very kind. After the fiasco, they said, “Well, that wasn't bad for your first time.”

The following week, I was asked to lead the music even though it was not Friday. “Okay,” I thought, “I need the practice.” My lesson that day was to look for a “hawk eye”, which looks like a dot with a closed parenthesis above it. My music teacher, Sister Draper, instructed me to have my hand extended out and up whenever I see this symbol. Apparently this let's everyone know that it is the close of a phrase. Got it...Not!

My first mistake was starting the music with a down stroke, and that mistake threw me off for the entire hymn. I began looking ahead for the “eye”, and I saw it coming. 3- 2- 1 word before the “eye”, and my hand was...already up! Huh? What happened? I wasn't sure, but at least I had another verse to prepare and try again. I was concentrating so much that I lost my place, and accidentally made a fist in my frustration. Oh no, wrong sign!

Okay, I had one last verse, to try and redeem myself. Things seemed better: 1,2,3,4. I saw the “eye” coming, and...my hand was down, again! So, I shifted it UP, quickly, left it there, smiled, and sat down. I'm not sure I would call this morning “better” than the first. My mistakes were different.

Friday the 13^th: I know what you're thinking- I should have stayed home- but I didn't. The morning hymn was Count Your Blessings. Sister Draper and I practiced a few minutes prior to the meeting, and I felt more comfortable. “I can do this,” I said to myself. I stood up, moved my hand, followed the words and rhythm, looked up at everyone, smiled, and then started back to my seat. One little problem...the song wasn't over, even though I thought it was! Oh, no! I was so embarrassed! I practically tripped, caught myself, and resumed my position. Do you think anyone noticed? Of course!

A few minutes later, Sister Trimble said, “It's good to see that you aren't perfect. It makes me feel better.” Far from it, Sister! This opportunity has been a humbling experience. It has shown me that I always have room for improvement. That is why I'm here: to learn, improve, and serve others with love.

During these last few weeks, I came across a hymn which has encouraged me along the way. It is called Be Thou Humble. Below is some of the text:

Be thou humble in thy weakness, and the Lord thy God shall lead thee...

and give thee answers to thy prayers. 

 Be thou humble in thy pleading, and the Lord thy God shall bless thee...

with a sweet and calm assurance that He cares.

Jacob 4:7 - “the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by His grace...that we have power to do these things.” 

Yes, even the power to learn a new skill, like directing music, or break an unhealthy habit. The Lord is always here to lead, guide, bless, and love us, if we humble ourselves and ask for His help.

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Celebrating September Birthdays