I received an email from one of our church members the night before our annual Christmas program that said, “They’ll never forget their first choir director.” There was a photo attached of me working with my children’s choir.
And he was right, because within moments I remembered Mrs. Wilson as though just yesterday I was in her fourth and fifth grade choir at Northridge Elementary School.
It was Christmas, 1980-something, and I elected to take my lunch to a classroom with other children and there we scarfed down our lunch before working on learning a few Christmas selections. I’m certain we sang a two part rendition of “Up on the Rooftop.” Mrs. Adams played the piano for us – I always remember the accompanist.
All that time ago, I began loving singing in a choir, and now this year, I conducted my own choir of shining faces, who love me like I’m a super star. They must know I love them too and the music that is in their little hearts.
How often, over this Christmas season I felt circles enclosing, in beautiful, heart-warming ways.
In 1998 I moved here, to work at a church, for a man named Paul Faulkner. I taught piano lessons, and he was my direct supervisor at the School of Arts. This year, 16 years later, I am working as an accompanist for the very same man at a christian school. What is unique about this particular circle of life is that my peer who accompanies with me, was one of my first piano students all those years ago. Kari is now a professional pianist, working with me, for the man who hired me to work in Chattanooga…
I’m blown away when I think of these large, circles and how they are drawn, by our heavenly Father, intending to link us together with others in ways that are beyond our own ability to create or comprehend.
Tomorrow 2015 begins, and I wonder what circles will begin, and what circles will come to fruition? I’m grateful that I’m not in charge of creating my own circles – they would be small and self fulfilling – but not nearly as broad and gorgeous and open as what my Heavenly Father creates with the care of His own hands. What a beautiful life He has mercifully created for me.
I know I’ve mentioned this Scripture before, but it is increasingly meaningful to me, the older I get – and the more I see how its truth unfolds in front of my eyes.
from Colossians 1:
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
As I step into a new year, I am confident in this thought. Even as I take individual these steps of daily life, one at a time – He uses them to form my life into the very creation He has planned.
Heavenly Father, In my heart of hearts I am grateful for the beauty you have created. As You cause all things to grow, using joy and pain alike, You bring to fruition your plan for my life. I can barely comprehend it all, but I’m entering 2015 at rest, with my soul at peace. amen.
daily portion 