Those times you realize you’re not the one calling the shots

Here’s an interesting story for you. I moved to Virginia Beach in August 2018, after which I moved out of the shared apartment from my previous spouse. TLDR situation for purposes of this email, so I’ll leave it at that.

I moved into an apartment building that’s right on the ocean front of Virginia Beach, and across the street from the apartment building were a couple of churches.

Now it’s interesting how when you are recently separated from your spouse, you’re basically deciding what is your new life going to look like. I had always been a person who went to church, or religious services of whatever type my entire life, including in my previous marriage. But I was basically starting over in many ways, so I was asking myself what part of my life is this going to look like?

It was a Saturday as I was deliberating this in my mind and heart, and all of a sudden the song “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” came to my mind. I hadn’t heard that song in probably 20 years. But all of a sudden it was right in my head, and I was just singing it and I didn’t really think anything of it at the time.

So Sunday morning came along and I decided I’m going to check out the Presbyterian Church across the street. I’ve attended presbyterian churches in the past so it just makes sense that I would choose this one. I walk in, get the bulletin, and first thing I notice is the choir! Angelic is the word I would use.

And then after the preacher gives the sermon, a gospel quartet comes up to the stage and, guess what song they sing? Swing Low Sweet Chariot.

When you run into situations like that, it is not a chance occurrence. Ignore them at your own peril, I say.

So I took it as a sign that I should involve myself with this congregation to whatever degree possible. Being a musician, a trumpet player to be exact, I offered my services after having attended a few times.

The music director told me they don’t have any need for anything like that on a regular basis, but he asked if I would be willing to give singing tenor a shot.

I had never done it before, so it was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone. In fact my running joke had always been, “People like me to sing tenor…tenor twelve miles away.”

But I did it and enjoyed it eventually. Five years later, I’m a regular and am among the more consistent singers, both in attendance and musically speaking.

Was it a bit nerve-racking? Yes, more than a bit initially, but I eventually came to enjoy it. And there have been times where I was asked to play my trumpet, and those have gone very well. All in all it has encouraged a nice balance in my performing skillset.

It’s also given me something of a root in the area where we live, much needed after all the travel I’ve done the last few years.

It’s just one of those things where you have that inclination inside and you don’t know exactly what it is, but you just know that there’s something bigger than yourself that is calling the shots.

P.S. I’ve begun recording these emails and adding them to my podcast. If you want to hear me read them to catch up on any you’ve missed, this is the way to do it 🙂

I recorded the first batch yesterday, and plan to do it on a weekly basis.