Spring Concert

     God really helped me out of a predicament the other day. The Skagit Wind Ensemble had played several pieces for church on Sabbath, and we had the Spring Concert that Sunday. . Our band has been working on several really nice pieces that I was excited to share with my family.  I arrived on time, and busied myself setting up the percussion instruments and socializing. About 10 minutes before we were supposed to begin, I started looking around for my music and realized it wasn't there. I didn't have time to really look for it before the concert started. Fortunately someone had another copy of my music for the opening piece. Then I went to sit with the SAA Choir while the 6-8th grade band performed a couple pieces.
     I was really freaking out about not having my music, and I kept praying "Dear God, please help there to be some way I can get the music!"  Then I saw Mr. Wilson, a friend's dad,  sitting towards the back, and remembered that he had a key to the church. So I ran over and explained my situation. He immediately got up and took me in his car over to the church to look for my music DURING the program. I found my music folder fairly easily - behind something, out of view, where I had so genius-ly put it.  Then we headed back over to the school.
     To get from the church to the school, we have to cross 2 lanes of a busy highway, which usually makes the trip a bit longer. I prayed again, "God, please let there be a break so we can make it back in time for me to sing." Sure enough, we hardly had to pause 5 seconds before there was an opening in both lanes. Mr. Wilson dropped me off at the front door of the gym, and I ran in. The choir was already up front, but they weren't singing yet. My friend Jojo motioned frantically for me to come up. I ran down the side aisle and slipped into place just before the choir director got settled.
     It was beautifully ironic: The first song we sang was Praise the Lord, a happy, festive song, and the next song we sang was Jesus Loves Me.   I sang with all my heart because I could really feel that it was true. 
    Some things in life don't seem like that big of a deal looking at them from the outside, or from later on. But at that time, I was simply overjoyed and thankful to God. 

     There have been times when I have been so discouraged with life, but especially with my relationship with Jesus. I want to have a deep connection with Him, and read my Bible every day, and pray all the time, and practice self control in my life... but I just couldn't do it! I knew I couldn't, and that's why I kept praying, "Lord, help me! Put a desire in my heart to spend time with you every day and the discipline to follow through." I would get so disappointed and discouraged when I wasn't making Jesus a priority in my life when I wanted to. I really did!! I looked at this as maybe a character flaw that I was unable to conquer, or even that God was breaking His promises by not answering my prayers. But, praise the Lord, He knows what is best and how things will work out.
     "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in me will complete it till the day of Jesus Christ." [Philippians 1:6] He didn't leave me there to suffer in my frustration. Jesus lead me to a place where He knew I would grow, learn, and flourish in His love. Youth Rush has changed my walk with God, just like He knew it would. My prayer was answered! Not only that one, but also the one I prayed and have prayed since 8th grade. "Lord, please don't let this fire inside me die." It was the sincerest of prayers, and God has seriously made it happen in my life, for which I am so grateful! He has added so much heat to the fire, yet its more sincere,and not just like an infatuation. Jesus changed my desires and my interests in life. I can see the divine intervention in the workings of my mind, and it makes me so excited!
      God has definitely led me to where I am now, and I know He will lead me in the future. As I go back to Youth Rush for my 2nd summer, keep me in your prayers. Not just that I grow in Jesus, but also for the people I meet and the friends I make.  I can't wait to see what He has planned for me this time!