Gentle Reminders
Posted on April 5, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized, Grace, Transparency |
So I had a blast last night. The concert ended up being so much fun. The choir was amazing. The musicians were their typically awesome selves. And I don’t think I could ever get enough of singing next to the likes of Collinus, Michelle, Julie, and Ayinde. Truly, I feel like I’m in the flow of who I’m created to be when I’m somehow creating or performing music that calls attention to God.
After the show was over, I was the recipient of many generous compliments. And, I quote . . . verbatim. “You look absolutely radiant up there.” “Oh my God! Where’d you get that dress? It’s simply beautiful.” “I just love it when you sing.” “God’s presence absolutely illuminates you!” No joke. Verbatim. (And less you think this is an exercise in arrogance . . . stay with me.)
You can see how a girl might start feeling a little elevated, a little inflated. And, I have to confess, I did think that the dress, a black and white number from Banana Republic, was particularly flattering. And, the red bangle bracelet was just the right touch against it. And, my hair actually looked less like a mop than usual. Yeah. Yeah.
Before I go on, I’d like to remind you, or maybe even me, that I got all dolled up in the first place to sing at a concert honoring the memory of Dr. King and, more importantly, the God he faithfully served. The evening, spent singing, dancing, praising, smiling, and laughing, was about God, and little else so . . .
You can see how, as I walked to my car, satisfied . . . smug almost, with how the evening concluded, all aglow in light of everything I’ve said above, appropriate it is that I suddenly and rather amazingly found myself flat on my butt, clothes everywhere, shoes everywhere, purse spilled open and on the gravel having fallen to the ground.
Isaiah 42:8
“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.
Yep. Just the remedy to the ailment of pride. Nothing like a little humiliation to keep one, well, humble. This night, for all of its extravagance, was about God, not me, my dress, my bracelet, or anything else. That truth rang foremost in my head along with the laughter coming out of my own mouth. Okay, God. I get it. In disbelief, I just sat there for a minute. My friend, having witnessed the whole debacle, came to my aid. As I picked up my belongs and came to my suddenly shocked senses I did what any respectable woman would do. I bent over, shoved my butt toward her and asked, “is my dress okay? Is it torn?” To my relief, her answer was, “no.” Whew!
All in all, a small price to pay for such a valuable lesson wouldn’t you say?
Peace and Blessings,
Nicole
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Nicole,
I did notice your fabulous dress and bracelet…and I am so sorry, but you falling on your butt did make me giggle a little. That has happened to me so often that my friends call it “doing a Michele”. BUT…may I agree with the person who said “God’s presence absolutely illuminates you!” I see it, my children see it. The concert was incredible, and God was more than able to outshine even your awesome dress…the dress just made people pay attention! Thank you for letting God use you!!!!