From the archives... 01/11/13

Singer, speaker,  recording artist and comedienne, Kelita has been so kind to me through the years I have known her.  She has also given my name and recommended me to different people when she has been asked, but unable to minister due to another commitment.

I got a call one day from a lady who is very involved with promoting gospel artists.  She was having a ladies' day on a Saturday in October and booked me on Kelita’s recommendation.  She was looking for about 45 minutes of comedy.  I told her I would do my best. 

When I got off the phone, I remembered thinking, “Why in the world did I say I would do it?”  I have sat in the audience watching Kelita don her comedienne hat and be in stitches listening to her as she did her different characters.  I was no match for that!

How easy it is to compare yourself to someone else!  That’s what I did – for about six months before the gig!  Also there was a woman there who was a very charismatic, “have the audience in her lap” type of singer.  Boy oh boy did the insecurities well up in me! 

I shared my heart with my sister-in-law Mim, wondering where I was going to get this comedy routine?  Mim simply said “Share your testimony.  It’s funny!” 

I did a lot of crying out to God those six months. 

It was about a three hour drive from home.  We got to the venue about seven o’clock on the Friday night.  It was at a campground and the sun was just setting over the lake.  We were told to be there for seven so we didn’t doddle over the sunset, although I would have loved to just go and drink in the lovely sight.

We sat for about two hours waiting to do the sound check.  It was a lovely venue and they had booths around the perimeter of the large room where the ladies could shop in between sessions the next day. 

I did my sound check and then we were guided to a lovely home that backed onto the lake.  We visited with the young couple who were hosting and all the while, I was silently praying “Oh Lord, please help me!” 

I didn’t sleep well that night.  I woke often and was very restless.  At 6 AM I felt Mim brush my hand and told me it was time to get up.  At the same moment, words of a song came into my head.  “I cannot live without Your love oh Lord.  I cannot breathe without Your breath.  I cannot sing without Your song oh Lord, ringing deeply in my breast.”  Shadow of Your Face by Bob Fitts © 1996 Hosanna’s Integrity Music. My heart filled with praise and adoration to my Heavenly Father!  The worry and stress melted away!  He was reminding me that as long as I relied on Him, I would be okay! 

That is what I did.  After six months of stewing and worrying, I finally trusted Him who had called me to do this!  Duh!  I am so glad that He loves and cares for me despite my silly humanness! 

I shared my story and people laughed!  It was wonderful and I felt the presence and anointing of the Lord so strongly that day!  The lady who booked me came up after and said that what I had shared had touched her deeply!  That is our God!  He is so worthy of praise! 

Psalm 11:1.  In the Lord, put I, my trust!

Carol

From the archives... 07/25/09

I sang at the funeral of a 51 year old woman yesterday.  I did not know her, but learned much about her in the hour-long service.

I always consider it an honour to be asked to sing at a funeral.  They are such very precious times and the fact that a family is grieving and hurting, would take the time to ask me to sing at their loved one’s service of remembrance, touches my heart. 

One of the songs I was asked to sing was called “Anyway” by Martina McBride.  I had never heard it before Thursday.  I had to do some fast learning but it was worth it.  What a wonderful song!  It talks about building, dreaming, loving and singing.  It says that even though we do these things, sometimes the outcome isn’t what we planned, but we need to do it anyway.  It says that God is great but sometimes life doesn’t work out the way we want it to.  Or when we pray sometimes we don’t get the answer we expected, but we need to do it anyway.   

I am at a stage in my life where I feel freer than I have ever felt before.  God has done so much healing in my life.  I can’t thank Him enough.  Oh I sure know He isn’t done yet.  But you know, I want to keep doing what He has called me to do.  I want to keep singing.  I want to share what healing He has done.  Whether it be in front of one person or in front of many. 

We need to keep singing.  We need to dance the dance of life in praise to Him. 

I pray whoever reads this will be encouraged.  God DOES have a good plan for your life.  He wants His VERY BEST for you.  Oh it may not be what you expected it to be, but His plans are the VERY BEST for you!  Lift your head up.  Laugh.  Dream.  Love.  Sing.

Carol

From the archives... 02/09/2009

It has been somewhat of a difficult year. I have had two family members who I love dearly, pass on into eternity. I have watched friends struggle with losing loved ones. I know of people who have been diagnosed with terminal illness. 

I have to say, I have cried a lot this year...by myself...with family members.
There have been many changes this year. 

One thing that has not changed is that God remains faithful. He does not change. Often when people go through difficult times, they ask "Where is God and why is He doing this?"
I find it interesting that when times are good, it seems that God is not mentioned. When things go bad, God is blamed. All I know is that He hurts with us. He cries with us. God does not cause bad things. 

I have found that God has been my comfort. When I have felt my heart breaking and it seems there is no one there, even though sometimes I cannot feel Him there, He is!

Even though it has been a difficult year, He is the reason I can have joy in my heart. When I look at the past year, even though many times were sad, I can smile because of the hope I have in Him. He said He would never leave me or forsake me. 

I BELIEVE THAT WITH ALL MY HEART!

Carol