On Being Brave, Singing in the Car, and Words to Live By
There are songs and quotes and so many things bouncing around in my head that I want to share with you all as I write. I want to throw my arms open and embrace this new year! I want to tell you all of them at once, so forgive me. . . but I think I will 
There's a song by Wynonna Judd that I've been singing in my car. It's not a new song, it's just one of my all-time favorites. I started singing it in December of last year, and now, every time I'm alone, I pop in my iPod and sing like I'm on stage.
"Only Love." You can find it on YouTube here:
http://youtu.be/Zd1E6ZlhNhI
. . . or just follow me around Hudson sometime and hear a less enjoyable version coming from my Honda Pilot.
It's a song with uplifting words, it's right in my range, it makes me feel good, and it's great when I am overflowing with joy. "Out of all the flags I've flown, one flies high and stands alone. Only love."
In November, it was my privilege to begin leading a group of middle schoolers at church. Together, we found our way to forming a new type of choir. I guided them, but only slightly, as they chose a name for the group and picked their first song. Week by week, they found their identity. Over and over, I reminded them that they would be worship leaders during the Christmas season. Did they know we were already in fellowship together, and that the blessings they were laying on me were beyond measure?
Because, you see, in October, I was scared to take it on. I was nervous and afraid of a roomful of pre-teens and teenagers (even though I own one.) I was hoping the food would win them over and the fun would make them stay. I had less faith in myself and the music and more faith in pizza and t-shirts. And then two things happened. I heard someone say these words on television: "If you aren't afraid, you never get the chance to be brave." And Tom Scott, our Director of Music Ministries, slid a piece of paper into my sheet music with this quote, by Harry S. Truman, printed in large, bold, font: "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." I love having good words to live by.
So. . . November was brave. December was pure joy. After "revoice" sang for the first time in December, I literally, and I mean, literally, skipped out of the church. I could not contain the JOY. On Christmas Eve, one of my choir members asked, "Did you bring us candy canes, Mrs. Chafe? You really should have brought us candy canes." Darn it, she was right! Okay, so the food really does have power, but we were all there, singing. Maybe with just less-minty breath.
And in January, I'm still singing in my car. "Out of all the flags I've flown, one flies high and stands alone. Only love." When I sing it, I find myself thinking of all of the other flags I've tried to fly, and they don't really fly so high or matter so much. Love flies high, and so do all of the flags that are lifted with love.
I had absolutely no idea that this choir, this new venture, would so instantly lift me and give me energy and joy and flags flying and find me singing in my car. Where there was once worry and fear, now there is excitement and peace. And Easter rehearsals are almost upon us. I can hardly wait to bring the candy. . .
Thank you God, for bravery, for squirrel-y middle-schoolers, for good music, for people who have faith in me when I do not, for this beautiful winter day, for the promise of this new year, and for your love, the one true flag that always flies high. Amen.
Christy - this is so awesome!! So proud of you for taking that leap and so glad for the results. Your joy skipped off the page - thanks for the uplifting post.
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Your notes and messages always make my day
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