What Now, Lord?

I can remember many years ago, sitting on my picnic table feeling restless. I felt like I had unspent energy that was being wasted. Looking into the sky, I asked, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"
 

He answered my prayer soon after. We found ourselves involved in a small church, where there was no children's ministry. Since my children were small at the time, I volunteered to start one, and God blessed that ministry. We had ten committed leaders who were as excited about this as I was. And the kids poured into that little church! Half of them were unchurched kids who were friends of the kids in our church. It was a great outreach. And we had a ball with singing, lessons, snacks and games each week.

 

That first year, I wanted to present a Christmas play for the congregation, as a thank you for supporting us. I came up with the script, and chose the songs. Since I was one of those people who get extreme stage fright, I gave a list of the songs to the worship leader. He told me he couldn't do it! I don't remember why, but his answer was no. I had no one else to play those songs.... except me. Even though I had taken piano lessons for seven years as a child, I was very nervous playing in front of people. So, almost every day from that point to the December play, I went to the church, and played the old upright piano that was stored in a back room. It was there because there was no one in the church who could play it. When some ladies would come to clean the church, they could hear the music coming from behind the closed door of that small room. And they would laugh.

 

The evening of the Christmas play came, and it went well! The kids remembered their lines, and they looked so cute in their costumes. It was a success. The parents of the children, along with the congregation, really enjoyed the program, and we had a party afterwards. I was thankful to God for enabling me to take on such a huge task. Little did I know this was the beginning of my music ministry.

 

In the months to follow, I also took a crash course in playing the small organ after the lady no longer could play the hymns due to eye problems. Then the worship leader left the small band, so I was asked to take his place in the lead instrument. I took on that upright piano, which now was dusted off, taken out of that small room, and placed in the sanctuary. Through all of that, I was slowly getting rid of my stage fright.

 

To make a long story short, I bought an electronic keyboard, and soon after that we changed churches. In order for me to play in their worship team, I had to play by chords instead of sheet music. I was able to teach myself that, and joined their worship team soon after. God gave me the opportunity to increase my musical skills in that church. Years later, another church change led me to write songs, which I always wanted to do but didn't know how. Like the chicken and the egg question, I had the lyrics and melody question. Which comes first? In this particular church, God had a singer lined up for me to sing my songs, since his voice is way better than mine. We had that song, which was 'Who Needs To Know?', professionally recorded at a studio in Nashville, and I had my first CD. It had radio air play, and was even given television time at a Christian network in Pittsburgh! I was thrilled beyond words! I never ever imagined that I would be hearing my own song on the radio, which had a listening audience of over a million people! After that, I had a video done for the song, as suggested from the music producer of the radio station. Over 120 people from my congregation participated, and I wrote the script, line by line. The videographer and I put it together, and it turned out wonderful! That is on You Tube. 

 

Songs continue to come to me, and it has become a fun hobby. My most recent one is Welcome Home. Again, it was sung and recorded the same way, and I made several videos for You Tube.  I wanted it to bring people comfort when they lose loved ones, and it talks about the rapture. I was asked to have a professional video made for it, so I found a Christian producer on the Internet! He lives in Florida, and for six months we communicated via email and phone. It is now finished and I have it also on You Tube. At the current time I am busy sharing it and praying that people will be led to a closer relationship with the Savior.

 

Now... I am looking ahead, and wondering what the Lord is going to have me do next! I have experienced  so much excitement serving Him, it is unbelievable! Being the unmusical one in my family, He has had me accomplish much more than I ever thought possible. As a worship music coordinator, playing the lead instrument, God is using me to help the congregation worship and be in His presence. But is there something else in addition to this, that He has planned for me?

 

Behold, the plans I have for you, says the Lord.

Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.

Plans to give you a hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

 

 

Having had this experience, I look forward to my future with enthusiasm. He has gifted me and given me a passion to do the tasks He assigns to me. All to give Him glory!

 

No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love Him.

1 Corinthians 2:9

 

What now, Lord? The best is yet to be!!