I’d been asked over and
over and over if I wrote…I’d say, “oh no, I just enjoy interpreting what
someone else has already written”. Not a
bad answer, but it wore thin, and God finally got my attention.
When Paul passed away and I made the decision to go back out
on this singing/speaking ministry, I found myself having to do everything. I did all the booking, packing, setting up,
tearing down, travel plans, correspondence and all office duties…along with
trying to have a minute here and there to spend with friends in an attempt to
build a new life as a single woman. I
would give myself the excuse, concerning songwriting, that I just didn’t have
time. I even said to God several times
with confidence that if I had some part-time help, I could possibly have time
to concentrate on writing. Well, one day
THAT part-time help came along…what was I gonna say now???
Then one morning I was sitting at my kitchen table involved in
my morning devotions’ time and the thought went through my mind that it seemed
something had changed in me. Well, of
course hopefully it had! Why did that
thought refuse to leave? I kept hearing
it over and over…”Ann, you’ve changed inside, there’s something moving inside
of you”. I wrote it down, as I often did
when worthwhile thoughts came across my mind in devotions. The next morning I saw those notes
again. It occurred to me that possibly
there might be a song there??? Could I dare even begin to “go there”?
I kept writing and writing morning after morning, then one
day I decided I should do something with those words that really didn’t take on
much “shape”..just pretty good thoughts.
I called a friend of mine who was involved in publishing (who I trusted
to not hurt my feelings too much) and asked if she’d read something I’d written
and let me know if there was anything to pursue there. I faxed it over to her…and to make a longer
story than you want to hear a bit shorter, she and another friend of mine
worked on those lyrics, adding music and helped me come up with a pretty good
song…MY FIRST, entitled “You’re Moving In Me”.
It was also my first song to be recorded.
Now I understand why Dottie Rambo would refer to her songs
as her “babies”. I’ve come to realize
that no one can really tell your “story” the way you can. So, can I challenge you to not hold back from
telling your “heart’s story”? Who
knows….could be that God has several stories in you. Don’t let the story die. After all, I think God would jump up and down
with you in your excitement as you see how your words and music can make a real
difference in someone’s life.
Writing has made a huge difference in mine.
The act of being courteous takes very little effort. I’m one of the worst to get involved in what is going on at that moment in my life, probably trying to figure it out, fix it, find a solution….you know, MOVE ON WITH IT. All the while, I frequently miss what’s happening right in front of my face. When we stop and think about it, a lot of us probably come across as disinterested, impatient with, and/or bored by what others are saying. In politeness we nod, maybe touch an arm as if to say, “I hear you.” I know a lot of the time we’re sincere, but more often than not, we’re probably thinking about the next thing on our own agenda forgetting what we’ve heard only five minutes later. If I’m thinking about this, the light bulb may be going off in your head, too. Maybe all of us can put forth a more concerted effort to be effective listeners and be as truly attentive as we try to make people believe we are.
I love this Ann. And I offer a resounding Amen!
ReplyDeleteI am a 63 year old man and about a 10 year old writer. No one can tell your story like you can. And no one can re-tell the greatest story ever told exactly like you can.
One of the earliest communions recorded after the scriptural records was by Justin Martyr in around 190. After bread and wine were brought out, he wrote that the presider "gave thanks according to his ability."
Each of us has a different perspective and different ability. And each of us will give thanks and tell the story differently.
Keep on singing your way to joy, amiga! And keep on writing!
Oh yes, Darrell...."singing my way to joy" :)
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