A Funeral, the Guitar & New Year's Resolutions.

At my father's funeral over a year ago, I was asked to come up front and read a Bible verse at a certain point of the service. Some people have a hard time speaking in front of crowds. I have always been comfortable speaking in front of people so much so that in middle school I volunteered and really enjoyed being on the speech team.

So, out of the few choices the Pastor presented me I selected a familiar passage. It was the passage from the 3rd Book of Ecclesiates that most of us have heard somewhere in some form. Taking my cue, I stood up in front of the congregates and began to read aloud:

"To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:
A time to be born and a time to die,..."

It was at that point that I "lost it". Silenced by emotions, I started to cry and never got to that later verse that said:

"...A time to 'choke' in front of a crowd."

But it was such a beautiful experience! I mean that. It felt as if I was in a very small boat on a huge wave in the middle of the ocean. Giving into that was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Eventually, one of the Deacons, I think, came up and stood by my side and started to read where I left off. I joined in unison and we completed the verses.

Much later another profound verse came into my head, "I get by with a little help from my friends." Thanks, Ringo.

So, as an odd segue way, all of this brings me to my New Year's Resolution: To perform musically to the best of my ability in front of a crowd. Last night we had an friend over we hadn't seen in about a year. I was eager to play (voice and guitar) at least one song But even though I "knew the material", I was still nervous and botched most of it up. I still enjoyed myself and there were smiles and toe tapping going on but my nervousness affected me quite a bit.

And since accountability can be an element in achieving goals, I'll keep you posted and down the road, I'll post a live recording for the world to hear. So, stay tuned!

Oh, there was more....

"...a time to break down and a time to build up,A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,"