Following the Call - Year 1

It's been a year.
A year since I woke up with the call.

It's been a year of celebration.
A year of tears.

It's been a year of education.
A year of intuition.

It's been a year of courage.
A year of humility.

It's been a year of achievement.
A year of disappointment.

It's been a year of connection.
A year of isolation.

It's been a year of determination.
A year of perseverance.

A year of waking up every morning and answering the call.

Answering the call to serve as ORUUC's Temporary Music Director.
Answering the call to go back to school.
Answering the call to coordinate music for the Young Adults at General Assembly (YA@GA) worship services.

And, most recently, answering the call to coordinate music for Rev. Carol Bodeau's installation at Westside UU in Farragut this Fall.  (Thank you for the opportunity, Rev. Carol!)

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to sing with the New World Unity Ensemble and One Human Family at the Baha'i Unity Center in Atlanta.  (Another call that I answered - to come and sing and celebrate with my new friends from GA.)  One song continues to resonate with me, written by William McDowell.

I give myself away
I give myself away
So you can use me

Here I am
Here I stand
Lord my life is in your hands
Lord I'm longing to see
Your desires revealed in me

I give myself away
I give myself away
So you can use me

Take my heart
Take my life
As a living sacrifice
All my dreams
All my plans
Lord I place them in your hands

I give myself away
I give myself away
So you can use me

My life is not my own
To you I belong
I give myself
I give myself to you

To me, it illustrates the mystery behind this calling.  The power of waking up every morning called to serve.  The faith in a power greater than myself (whether you call that God, Lord, Love, Universe, Earth, Nature, Light...).  The deep knowing that on the other side of every obstacle is another opportunity.  Answering the call with eager anticipation of what new experience may come.

And so, I continue to wake up every morning and answer the call.

Here's to the start of another year pursuing music ministry.  Thank you all for joining me on the journey.