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A Fresh Touch




I had not planned on posting a blog for a bit as I am writing other things at the moment.  After what I experienced in church this morning, I felt compelled to get this down to share my story.

Paula, Sarah and I, along with John-Phillip (JP) sang this morning on a Praise Team.  Brian and the Hoffettes (what I affectionately nicknamed the team, much to everyone's annoyance).  We had several awesome songs that we were slated to sing.  "Your Grace is Enough", "Lead Me To the Cross", "We Are", "Soul On Fire", and "Glory to God Forever".

To back this up a few days ago, Paula has an eye appointment and she found out that the pressure in her right eye was abnormally high, signaling the presence of Glaucoma.  Her maternal grandmother had Glaucoma, and so the odds of Paula developing it were higher.  Well, now she has the start.  The eye doctor told her it was when, not if she will start to lose vision in her eye.  This whole process has been a very emotional one, marked with uncertainty, anger, disappointment, and fear.  I have confided in close friends what is going on at this moment.  Prayers are being said for her and for our family.

That is what was on our hearts and minds this morning when we walked into rehearsal.  The service started and we had a job to do:  to help lead our congregation to worship Jesus. We had just sung an upbeat rocker titled "Your Grace is Enough".  We have sung that one so many times over the years and for the first time in recent history, I had fun with that!  Normally in service, it is a struggle to get people to clap their hands to the rhythm of a song.  It's a theory of mine that it takes just one person to start to the clapping and then the others will join in.  Imagine:  A room full of Lutherans happily clapping along.  I know, I am still shocked too!  Just like Field of Dreams:  If you clap, they will join.

During the prayers of the church, I said a silent prayer for Paula's health and for the health of her eye. Then something happened.  During "Lead Me To the Cross", I was overcome with emotion.  We sang the chorus one last time before the song ended.  I could feel that lump in my throat rise and I clutched Sarah's hand.  I pulled Sarah close to me, she put her arm around me with her free hand and we sang the last line together.  It was a mixed emotion, because suddenly, I could feel the power of Jesus in that room.  For the first time since this mess with her eye started, I honestly felt God had told me that things are going to be okay.  I am not to worry, because God had created Paula, and He would take care of this.  I feel that if I want to do something, to stand aside and let God do His thing.  I could always pray.  Pray that God comforts Paula and restores her eye.

Something else came to mind that I am so very grateful.  As you may, or may not know, Sarah had some emotional issues in the recent past.  In the last year or so, she has really turned things around for herself.  She has gotten involved with her school choir, First Impressions (school show choir), and now she sings with Paula and me on a Praise Team.  I honestly believe that Sarah has found healing, strength, faith and gotten closer to God by singing His praises.  God has worked miracles not only in my life, but in the lives of my loved ones.  Words fail me when it comes to describing how thankfulness of His unfailing love.  Watching my daughter express herself with music is an experience I will always cherish.

Here are the links to the songs that we sang this morning.  Have a listen and I pray that you offer your problems, troubles and conundrums to the Lord.  It's my wish that you all find faith, healing and a fresh touch from the Lord.  God bless you all!


Lead Me to the Cross

 We Are

Soul on Fire


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