Seven Years Ago...A Turning Point

I was 26 and living in a little house on my own in my hometown. I had worked a few years as a receptionist, then began teaching piano on weekends and nights before making it my full-time job. Still pretty sheltered and introverted, my confidence was not yet very strong.

I played piano at my small home-church with wonderful, kind-hearted people but started feeling an itch inside that I could not explain. I felt as if I needed to make some kind of change but was unsure where to begin.

But chaos replaced my contemplation. My family underwent several unexpected transitions. Trauma interrupted friendship with a guy I had trusted.

I felt lost and broken. Looking around, I didn't consider any of my friendships open and intimate enough to share what I was going through. In the middle of my desperation, I accepted an invitation to visit a new church.

I honestly did not have high expectations when I sat down before the service began but, during the first song, felt a soothing peace and comfort. I went back by myself the next Sunday and sat in the same spot, where a young, friendly couple introduced themselves and invited me to sit with them anytime. I listened to the sermon and tried to sing along to the songs, but tears interfered. Once again, I returned the following Sunday.

Only a month later on a darkening fall evening, I pulled my car into the parking lot to attend my first band practice. I was extremely nervous, shy, and had suffered a distressing few months. I had never played in a band before and was not even sure that I was capable.  For some reason, however, I felt sure that I should try.

I have come immeasurably far since that milestone moment when I walked into a new church as a timid, broken girl. Seven years later, I am still attending and playing in the band. When I feel broken, I turn to my close friendships instead of isolation. Still an imperfect human, but a more confident, more healed imperfect human.

And that encourages me about what he still might do in me.