Sing a New Song

I have three singing gigs coming up within the next couple of weeks. This makes me laugh because I haven't always been a singer. It's really no big deal to me anymore. Don't get me wrong - I like to do my best, and yes, sometimes nerves get the best of me. But I've performed so much over the last four years, it doesn't really phase me much anymore. I've grown comfortable on the stage.

I remember auditioning for a variety show my freshman year of high school. I didn't know this at the time, but everyone who auditioned made it. I wanted so badly to find my niche! Just a couple of years before, I discovered the theatre. Colored lights, magical scenery, enchanting stories, lilting music. I was in love! For this audition, I sang "The Sound of Music." I croaked. My voice shook with nerves, and I know I was terrible. But I landed a number! I was in the chorus - and again didn't know until later that I was placed in the number for all the untalented girls.

Throughout high school, I participated in a variety of choirs. I learned a lot about music - how to read it, how to sing it. I even got to go to All State Choir my senior year. That involved sight reading - a very hard skill! I was quite surprised when I found out that I had made it. I also sang alto in an elite show choir that had just started that year. The auditions were tough, but I made it in.

Out of eight girls in that choir, five of us were seniors. The seniors always had a talent show at the end of the year. The three senior sopranos decided they wanted to perform in a quartet - and asked the other alto to sing with them. Hurt and offended, I signed up for the talent show. Solo act. The quartet ended up backing out. But I stood on that stage - proud and confident - and belted out "It Had To Be You."

I went onto college and learned that my place of comfort was backstage. I sang with friends and for class, but I never auditioned for anything. I put that idea away and held onto my dream of being a stage manager. But life changed, as did my career. Friends asked me to do shows here and there, and I got to perform in some pretty interesting places. 

After getting married and becoming a mom, I started singing in church. And when we moved to our small community, our church members made sure I was plugged in for various events. I connected with the high school drama club - the only "community" theatre company in town - and performed with them. That also became an outlet for my writing! Singing has just become part of who I am.

I have to give the credit to God. There's no way I could have taken that stage way back in the day unless He prompted me. I may not have known it at the time, but I've come to realize that was all Him. He's led me to this point, and He'll continue to walk me through. The talent is not my own. It's a divine gift. Oh, that's not saying I'm a great singer, but God is definitely the source. So when you hear me, think of Him. When you clap, applaud Him. He's the One who is singing. I'm just the instrument.