Let
your light shine before others … (Matthew 5:16)
I’m
not being modest- I simply cannot carry a tune! Many years ago I
expressed this concern as a group of us headed out from the church
for some “good ole Christmas caroling,” and I was assured that
God loves all voices. So I eagerly sang out the first carol with all
I had…and was then invited to hold the flashlight for the rest of
the group. Since then I’ve become quite adept at lip-syncing!
As
one of the Inclusion Coordinators at FPC, it is my honor and
privilege to help insure the inclusion of persons of all abilities
into the life of the church, and I found myself in the position of
encouraging various people to sing. All I could think was, “God,
you have got to be kidding me!” Imagine how ironic it was when I
was asked to become a helper at the children’s choir rehearsals!
But
how can I ask others to sing if I’m not singing?
Now
in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings I stand with a young friend of
mine and word by word we work on letting our voices be heard. At the
last Rejoicing Spirits’ service I sat next to someone who has never
said much to me, and we sang together. And you know what? In both
cases, when we made eye contact and smiled at each other, we sang
louder. We were connected. As in all of life, we are transformed by
the relationships we build. And we can only build relationships if
we are willing to put ourselves out there…even if it’s out of our
comfort zone.
What
I considered God’s irony was actually God’s gift. I still don’t
sing well, but all of our voices deserve to be heard.
Gracious
and loving God, thank you for the gift of your transforming light
shining on me through others. Through their presence, my little
spark becomes a flame. Amen.
Joanne
Blair
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