Today I will sit by my daughter, reading Anatomy lessons and digging out a chicken bone to soak in vinegar. I will check online to see how my son did on his chemistry test (God bless co-ops!) I will rehearse the song I am singing tomorrow night at the Minnesota Teen Challenge Gala, where 150 drug offenders seeking treatment and transformation will march up on stage as I sing "Remind Me Who I Am" by Jason Gray (watch here). I will hopefully stay on top of the laundry, since Wednesday is laundry day. I will pray with my kids, chat with my husband, and hopefully get/give massages at the end of the day.
As my kids get older, inching toward adulthood and self-knowledge, I find myself praying more for them to find their passion and to excel for God's glory. St. Irenaeus' quote, "The glory of God is man fully alive," is on my mind. I keep reminding them that they can be a witness of God's love and power, no matter what they choose to do with their lives.
I have to remind myself of that, too, when it seems like time I could be putting into music is spent in the car, taking the kids to activities. It is not wasted time. It is relationship time, all of us together, interacting. It could be the seed of the next humorous song (thank you Tim Hawkins for modeling funny family songwriting regarding car farts! watch here) But admittedly, I cringe when I realize that my music is in the lane of the round-about where the drivers are not sure what to do, so they keep circling and waiting to see the right signs.
I thought I might have a CD close to done. I have one song almost done.
I thought I might have a busy concert schedule. I have 3 gigs booked. (Could this be because I put NO effort into promotion???)
I don't have a clear aim, but I love my life, and I don't think God is keeping tally of concerts and recordings. I think He is pleased that I spent time this summer capturing my friend's beautiful testimony in song (listen here) as she lives with terminal cancer. I think He is pleased when I leave the piano bench to go bump and set the volleyball with my girls. And get them in some clean clothes.
I try not to sow and water seeds of envy at other's musical successes and careers. I have made my choices. I have spread the frosting out instead of globbing it in one spot. It's enough sweetness for me.
