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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Music (03/08/07)
Solid Gold
March 9, 2007



I’ve always loved music, singing, and dancing. As a wee one, less than a year old, my parents would place these huge, adult sized ear phones on my head and watch me bounce up and down in sync with the beat, sporting a big smile.

As a child, I learned how to work the stereo pretty good. It wasn’t uncommon to see me with my yellow, long flowing “poncho” hair, holding my “comb” microphone, dancing and singing my heart out on the family coffee table. My favorite thing to do was to turn the TV. to Solid Gold and allow my imagination to dream I was a solid gold dancer. My moves were just as good as there’s or so I thought in my young mind. I practiced for hours so they had to be. Unlike now, I was not shy and I was oblivious to the people who came in the room. I gave it my all. I was a dancer!

My favorite memory of dad was listening to him sing and play his guitar. Dad was shy so his talent was developed behind closed doors. No one was aloud in. I would crouch down on the other side of the door with my bum high in the air and my face pressed hard against the opening at the bottom trying just to get a small glimpse. Easily moved or distracted I was not. I could/would listen for hours.

In grade five, I joined band class and gave my best ten year old attempt to learn how to play the clarinet. I remember that this was something I really wanted to do. The burning sensation inside me grew as friends and I chattered about it. I would not be discouraged easily. I’d envisioned myself playing these great songs and being really good. Practice at home must have been an ear sore, little encouragement was found. A part of me was sad. A part of me thought “I’m not good at anything so why would I be good at this?” It was a painful year for those forced to listen and for me, trying to figure things out. I was desperately trying to be good at something and this was my opportunity. With reluctance, I gave up and dropped out.

Adulthood found me desperately wanting to sing. The journey began when I signed up for choir. With each year that I watched, the stirring in my soul would increase. The concert was always lovely and it was never long before tears of joy filled my eyes. A long time ago, I had heard that even if you didn’t sound like the angels, singing could be learned, a pleasant sounding voice could be found. Anyone could do it. Three practices in, I was still looking for my voice. I couldn’t find it anywhere! Maybe I forgot to look in my treasure box, that’s where you’d find all my keep sakes. The lies that always came when I wanted to try something new came and snuck through the back door of my mind. “Your not good enough, you’ll never sound like them, they don’t even know where to put you, they don’t even have a baritone section, how are they going to work with you? Besides, you’re shy, remember. Even if you learn to sing, you’ll never muster up enough courage to stand up there in front of all those people.”

Christmas was just around the corner, concert night arrived and I fought my secret tears as I enjoyed the sweet sounds of the season. The choir did sound like angels from above. The lies still invaded, telling me it was a good thing I wasn’t up there ruining the elegant performance. I hurt inside.

I’m so thankful for God. He created me; therefore he created my vocal chords too. My voice is not a surprise to him yet he still requests my praises. You will find me in church Sunday morning, belting out praises to my God in love. I may not be a blessing to you but I know I’m blessing my Father and it feels right!








Let everything that lives sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6
NLT

How good it is to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how right!
Psalm 147:1
NLT
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This article has been read 770 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Marilyn Klunder
03/16/07
I would encourage you to find, not your voice, but your "joyful noise". Remember, if we don't praise Him the rocks will cry out! Good story! Keep writing for Him!
Jacquelyn Horne
03/16/07
I can feel the disapointment here of not being able to do the very thing that thrills you. It's disheartening, but God has given each of us something. Yours just might be writing. Good job here.
Terry R A Eissfeldt 
03/17/07
A very vulnerable piece. I think women everywhere can relate to the struggle of needing acceptance and recognition. Great job, so proud of you!
Mei Ling Trevor
03/18/07
You have encouraged me with your willingness to open your heart. Sharing your vulnerability is a testimony and blessing as I read your writing.
Monica Raye Daly
03/18/07
Great job enjoyed your story it is inspirational,keep it going for God.
Brenda Buikema
03/20/07
Great story. I recently had a conversation with my 12 year old daughter about singing. I said I sounded horrible and she told me that I sounded wonderful. You bring the point to life that we are singing to honor Him not those around us--good insights!
Debra Avila
03/20/07
God has already Loved us and excepts us. we just need to except it ourselfs instead of looking around for others to fill the voids. I need to be more volunerable.
Sara Harricharan
03/21/07
What a lovely story! This line was still looking for my voice. I couldn’t find it anywhere! Maybe I forgot to look in my treasure box reminds me of the secret garden. This piece is an encouragement at the end of a long day. Keep up the good writing! ^_^
Julie Arduini
03/22/07
I loved how authentic and candid you were here. Very well composed!
Donna Powers
03/22/07
Nice job, but my heart went out to the narrator. Every voice that is filled with His praises is pleasing to the Lord. Keep singing His praise! Thanks for sharing this
Patricia Casey
04/21/07
My mom can't carry a tune and yet she sings the loudest in church. I have her voice but I can't sing loudly and free as she does. I have a quote posted by my computer that I try to follow: "Everything I do or say must be an act of worship, done for God's pleasure." (Ethel Herr, An Intro to Christian Writing)
Great job.
In Jesus' Name,
Patricia