Saturday, January 19, 2008

Facing a Giant

Has anyone seen that movie "Facing the Giants"? It is a great film and is very encouraging! It was a reminder to me that God can accomplish anything no matter how big the fear or problem.
Well...I have been through a growing season recently. This is going to be a very transparent post!
It began a few weeks ago when I received the Solo & Ensemble music for Shawn's students in high school. I usually accompany 4-6 students for High School and about 15 for middle school. I have been accompanying for MANY years and feel like I can do an "okay" job. Shawn keeps asking me to help out but that could be because he is biased! Anyway, this music was EXTREMELY difficult. I looked at it and honestly thought I would not be able to do it. I decided that I would practice every day and become very familiar with the music and see what happens. I was quite shocked that I had been able to get through the music and it sounded okay. I rehearsed with the kids and the rehearsals went very well.
I kept praying that God would work through me and that I wouldn't mess up royally! I have a verse by my piano that I continually read when I am practicing! It is Psalm 63:4, "I will praise you as long as I live, And in your name I will life up my hands". I felt very confident walking into the event today, even though I was nervous I knew that God would play through me. Most of the time when I have these events I get so nervous that when I get ready to play, I look at the music and ask "Have I played this before?"!!! I usually start shaking, many doubts assail me and it is very hard for me to not give in to the lies Satan tells me. I struggle with acceptance and performance anxiety and many times I rely on my own self-talk to get me through it.
But this time I really felt that I was prepared. I had this feeling like I was going to conquer the giant of "self" today, rely on the Lord completely and come out rejoicing!
The first event I had went very well and I also thought the 2nd one did too. As I was waiting for my 3rd event the parents of my 2nd event (okay, can you follow this?):) told me that the judge said that their son played well but it's too bad his accompanist couldn't keep up and didn't play very well. Wow....it is so hard to hear criticism like that. My confidence fell to the floor. I still had 2 more people to accompany and I tried desperately to hold back tears so that the parents and students would not see me. I really wanted to go into that judge, throw my music at him and say "Okay then, if I can't play it good enough, see if you can"! It's a good thing the Lord holds us backs sometimes!
I asked many questions like "If I felt God was giving me confidence and the ability to play, Why would someone say that?". It's not like I totally bombed and the student messed up! I really did feel like it went okay!
Maybe I was feeling too prideful and confident so Satan took that as an opportunity to hit me where it hurts the most. My worst fears of not being good enough were realized and I felt so useless!
I know it is just one person but it again showed how words and one person's opinion can really hurt. I also thought " Wow, my musical sense must be REALLY off if I didn't think that sounded bad!".
As I was driving home the song "God Speaking" by Mandisa came on the radio. I love that song! I have yet to understand what God is trying to say to me in this situation because I am still upset about it. I will definitely be seeking his face this week to see what He is trying to say. I know part of serving the Lord is having a willingness of heart. I really do struggle with that because I don't think I am good enough! I know that my premature, human-nature reaction is to say that I do not want to accompany anymore. I hope that I allow the Lord to work on my heart and show me how I can react to this.

4 comments:

the Pharmer's Wife said...

Hey, Sister,

I want to encourage you, but I don't know exactly what to say. I do know this: God calls us to be in the game, not sitting on the side-lines. Yes, there are times of rest, but the people who never go out and give their best AREN'T DOING WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF THEM!

Also, I've heard you play, and you do quite a nice job!

Love ya,
Sis

friendlyfaces said...

That must have been so hard today, Becky. Think back to those Mr. Duso times......
Both you and Shawn got experience this week in not reacting the way you wanted and that's a very mature thing! It's hard to listen to criscism because most of the time we aren't told the good things enough. You are awesome!

Bugle Boy said...

One of the many qualities that attracted me to you was your ability to make music on the piano! I'm never going to stop hiring you, because I'm never going to stop believing in you!

I'm interested in a blog entry that lists your possible verbal reactions to Mr. Judge. : )

Remember, my darling, that our identity comes from the way that Christ feels about us...not other people whom we have never met.

ILUVU!

BAHowells said...

Well, I didn't "fall in love with you" for your piano playing abilities ;) but I know that you are so very talented. You strive to please the Lord with the gifts he has given you and honestly- Satan doesn't like it! He'll feed you all sorts of lies (and discouragment from others) to get you to STOP honoring Christ.
Don't do it! =)