A combination of several things hitting my awareness all at the same time led to a dramatic shift in my mindset and attitude towards my dream.
- I saw a promotion for an INCREDIBLE deal that Singing Success is offering right now, that I can’t take advantage of at the moment — but it reminded me that I had purchased a singing course a couple of YEARS ago and never worked all the way through it. After several moments of intense panic when I wondered if it had been attached to an email address I no longer have access to, I FOUND IT — and I have been faithfully working through the exercises every morning on my way to work. (And y’all — I am hearing and feeling a DIFFERENCE. It is SO EXCITING!!!!
- An amazing friend and podcaster/coach had a series that I signed up for, and let the emails collect in my inbox until one particular morning when I happened to catch her on a Facebook live — talking about the new movie “A Star is Born,” and how her emotional attachment to something she KNEW was fiction was the catalyst in an amazing discovery that has changed my life! Amy Latta, you are amazing. This particular day she made the connection to our emotions, and our feelings, and our “WHY.” Why are investing in and working toward this dream. We need to imagine all the people that our success could impact. All the ways it would make a difference.
**** Just pause here for a moment. Let that sink in.
- Persistence in the face of discomfort and . . . um . . . laziness. In the evenings, after the children are fed and the hangriness has subsided (on all counts), I schlep myself off to practice. Sometimes I am writing a new song (thanks in large part to the motivation and encouragement in the Nashville Christian Songwriters group. Monthly challenges, and a group of similarly focused people — it has been a huge blessing.
- And the most important — putting my phone down in the evenings and picking up my Bible and my journal. He has revealed so many amazing truths to me in the last week. Confirmation about the plans He is establishing my steps toward. Assurance that by being faithful in the new chapter that I didn’t choose, I am right where He wants me to be. Last night, through a raging allergy headache that was quickly turning into a migraine, I didn’t give in to the temptation to just close my eyes and sleep. (It was only 7:30 — and my boys were not about to sign on for an early bedtime. 12 and 8 years old. Nope.) I could sense the battle was about more than just the headache. So I persisted. I put the phone down, and settled with my journal open, and landed in Psalms 145. My heart took in the message of the first three verses as I glance over them, preparing to dig in, but once I hit verse 4, it was as if it was highlighted with glue. My attention was locked in — and my heart started racing.I found my why. This verse is it. The reason that I am pushing through the noise, the discomfort, the temptations.
- I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.- Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.- Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable.- One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.Psalms 145:1-4 (bold added)
I know that this verse may encourage many — but it may not hit home for all like it did for me. But it’s okay. This verse is what I needed. It reminds me that His message is eternal. The songs that He births in me that bear this message have the potential to have an impact forever. Because His word is eternal. The message has no expiration date.
I need to be faithful to create, and to share, and to tell. My words may not make a difference in my lifetime — and while I hope that isn’t how this all plays out — I do believe that God WILL USE the works He is creating in me for His purpose, to advance His Kingdom.
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