Something Different

Last week at church was a little different than most weeks.  It was my week to help out in the nursery during the first service.  Never know what to expect in the baby room, fortunately it was one of the better weeks in there (few babies, lots of workers, no major screamers).

After scrubbing-out of the nursery, i headed off to sit through the second service.  As i sat down, i decided to browse through the weekly bulletin.  I usually don't bother since i get any pertinent info via email anyways, but i did read through the order of service.

Included in the order of service was the song selections for the day. My eyes were drawn one song in particular: Who Am I?. I knew the song. It was originally recorded by Point of Grace for their 1998 Steady On album, it is a great song complimented by four beautiful voices.

I was excited to see that beside the song listing was a note that it was going to be performed by a quartet. "This should be good," i thought.

The service began and it was soon time for the quartet. The first thing i noticed was that the stage had two chairs set-up where the quartet would be performing. A little different.

The quartet was actually students; middle school girls best i could judge. As they took their places, one girl needed some assistance to get over to the chair for her to sit. Another sat beside her and the other two took their places standing on either side of the chairs.

The orchestra began the familiar tune and after a brief issue with a microphone, the girls began to sing. The song is usually sang in parts with each singer taking a part, then joining in together (full video - Point of Grace w/ John Tesh).

After the second girl sang her piece, i thought "they are doing a great job with the song." Then the third girl, then the forth. Except things seemed to fall apart at that point. Did the girl forget the lyrics? Even so, why would the orchestra be struggling? Missing notes, losing time and slowing down ... playing softer.

It became clearer. As the orchestra struggled to play slower and quieter, you could finally her the words to the song coming from the girls lips. No melody to speak of, words, broken words, some difficult to understand.

Once the girl finished her part, the orchestra picked-up the tempo and the girls continued to sing. Until it came time for the forth girl to sing again. This time the orchestra was able to react faster, slowing down, almost stopping, and playing softer so that the girl could at least be heard.

I don't know the girls name. I do know she has cerebral palsy.

I know many folks took away different things from that musical performance as many tears were shed that morning. As the phrase goes, context is everything.

For me, it was three things: i've never cried after that song before, i no longer think of a harmonizing quartet when i hear the songs name, and there are times when God wants you to step outside of your comfort zone.