Perspective

Last weekend, six of our Youth Choir girls, three chaperones, and I traveled to Myrtle Beach for the Youth Festival by the Sea. Some of you may have heard us refer to "Adult Festival;" that event was borne out of this one, which began some 13 years ago. This year, members of 20 different youth choirs from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida came together to join their voices in a group which topped out around 400 students, from grades 6 through 12. The weekend was a good experience for all involved, but there was a particular moment which I won't soon forget.

Late into rehearsal on Saturday night, somewhere around 10 or 10:30 pm, I was exhausted. We'd had a long drive down on Friday, and immediately gone into rehearsal. Saturday was plenty busy as well, so as we neared the end of a long day, I could feel myself shutting down and lamenting this late-evening rehearsal. Frustration began to set in, and in my mind I questioned the wisdom of having this session go so long- if I was tired, then surely the singers were tired, too. However, just as I had begun to lament about my situation, I saw something that changed my mood, and my entire weekend: a young girl, probably middle-school age, with Down syndrome singing Robert Ray's wonderful Gospel piece, "He Never Failed Me Yet." The text of the refrain reads, "I will sing of God's mercy, every day, every hour, he gives me power. I will sing, and give thanks to Thee, for all the dangers, toils, and snares that he has brought me out. He is my God, and I'll serve him, no matter what the test. Trust and never doubt, Jesus will surely bring you out. He never failed me yet!" In that moment, I was overcome with emotion. My eyes filled with tears and my heart was glad; how could I complain about being tired when such wonderful music was being made?

For me, it was a holy moment, full of perspective. We all come to church on Sunday mornings with things that weigh us down: taking kids to and from sporting events; ailing family members; trouble with finances. And yet, what a wonderful gift we have to sing "Precious Lord, take my hand," or "Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be Thou our guard while life shall last, and our eternal home." This Sunday, bring your joys, your cares, and your sorrows, for they all have a place in worship at First Presbyterian.