stretching

Stretching as in out of my comfort zone. As in... something that you really don't want to do... but know you should do... know it would be a big help if you did it... know you'll be a better person for doing it. As in personal growth. Even spiritual growth. THAT kind of stretching.

Being a musical person you'd think I would know how to actually lead music. Well, I don't. I just never have. I just kind of mind my own business and do my own thing. And in fact, I hardly do that anymore. Let's just say that as my width has grown with the years, I've become a bit sensitive of getting up in front of hoards of people.

So a few weeks ago when one of my church leaders asked me if I would be the new chorister for our congregation I nearly choked on my pot roast. What this means is me, up in front of the entire congregation, with my bifocals on, leading 3 to 4 songs during our main meeting every Sunday. This may not sound like a big deal to you. But picture, if you will, Goofy leading the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and then you may see my apprehension.

The only reason I agreed to this new form of torture, is 1) the leader that asked me is a dear friend, and 2) I had an odd experience a few weeks prior to him asking me, that 'alerted' me you might say, that this assignment was eminent. As we were singing in church one Sunday, I just happened to glance at the current chorister, and a tiny voice in my head said to me "Megan, you need to be ready, because at some point that's going to be you up there". I thought HAVE MERCY - NO!!! But you know what? I knew that little voice was right. I knew it would be me up there. And not 2 weeks later they asked me. That little voice knows what it's talking 'bout.

So there I was today, up there in front of a gazillion people for the first time. Okay, maybe that was a slight exaggeration, but only slight. Thank heaven I at least had a good hair day. My husband was very supportive and helped me with 4/4 time vs. 3/4 time, upbeats, downbeats, blah, blah, blah. The organist was awesome, and lots of familiar faces in the congregation relaxed me. You know, I made plenty of mistakes but all in all it went pretty well. I smiled through my foggy bifocals the whole time. Perhaps most importantly, I know I was blessed for trying, and I know I will continue to be blessed for my efforts. Stepping out of my comfort zone is not easy. But sometimes it's even more important for the one than it is for the many. So I am grateful.