It Feels Nice

I’m a pretty good teacher on Mondays. Even when I wake up every hour the night before and have angst filled dreams of not being able to get to my classroom even though I know that a class is waiting or of being called out for not being at duty on time because the bell rang ten minutes early or of having a fire drill that’s not really a drill because an oven in the kitchen is on fire during arrival time in the morning (all of which happened last night), I’m still a pretty good teacher on Mondays. I realized this fact at the end of the day today as I looked at the evidence of a day of focused teaching. There are many days when I feel like a terrible music teacher. I very well may feel like a terrible teacher tomorrow—especially if I don’t rest better tonight. But today I think I might be a pretty good teacher. And, truthfully, it feels nice.

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It also feels nice to make music with my best friend again. We once recorded two CDs, performed quite a few concerts, led quite a few worship services, and spent countless hours practicing together, but for the past eight years our music has been silent. Life has gotten in the way. But tonight, we sang together again. We prepared for my ordination in two weeks. Our aging voices blended perfectly and we transformed simple songs into something beautiful. I’ve always been amazed at how the two of us are able to make something beautiful.

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Honestly, after a day of focused teaching and beautiful music making on the tail of a terrible night’s sleep, I’m a little tired. All cylinders aren’t firing. I have no wisdom to offer. So I’ll simply end with the lyrics of the song that Angela and I are preparing for my ordination. Come to FBC Erwin at 6pm on Sunday, March 29th to hear it performed live…and to hear slightly updated lyrics. [Yes. That is an invitation .]

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I sit all alone in this beautiful place
I fall on my knees but I stand on your strength
Jesus, You, You Are
I don’t understand why you’ve brought me here
To a place I’d run from, year after year but
Jesus, You, You Are

All my days full of motion, running from here to there
Split devotions, I don’t know how to bear
Yet you’re the way and the truth and the life on this path
The loving creator, the first and last

Jesus, you are the life of me
You are the light I need
You are the great I Am
The Prince of Peace and the Son of Man
You Are

I look around all at this crazy world
Even your children go against your Word but
Jesus, You, You Are
How can just one person make a difference that lasts
When so many people are stuck in the past but
Jesus, You, You Are

Running round in circles trying to bridge the gap
But the weight of humanity is stronger than that
Yet you’re the rock I can build on, you’re the image of grace
The holy redeemer, Love’s relentless face

Jesus, you are the life of me
You are the light I need
You are the great I Am
The Prince of Peace and the Son of Man
You Are